WILLEMSTAD – Five garages and scrapyards in Curaçao were inspected during a series of multidisciplinary enforcement operations carried out under the Curaçao Action Center Against Undermining Crime (ACOC), with authorities identifying several violations and criminal offenses.
The inspections were conducted by the Curaçao Police Force (KPC) together with several government agencies as part of a coordinated effort to address illegal business practices and activities that may facilitate undermining crime.
Participating agencies included the Public Prosecutor's Office (OM), the Curaçao Tax Inspectorate (SBAB), the Ministry of Health, Environment and Nature (GMN) Inspectorate, Aqualectra, the Ministry of Economic Development (MEO) Inspectorate, the Supervision and Enforcement division of the Ministry of Traffic, Transport and Urban Planning (VVRP), and the Ministry of Social Development, Labor and Welfare (SOAW) Inspectorate.
Authorities reported discovering several violations during the inspections. These included businesses that were not registered with the Chamber of Commerce, garages operating without the required business or nuisance permits, unregistered employees, businesses without a CRIB tax identification number, and cases involving the theft of water and electricity.
Several businesses received warnings and instructions on how to bring their operations into compliance with Curaçao's laws and regulations.
One business was ordered to close because it was neither registered with the Chamber of Commerce nor in possession of the required business establishment permit.
At locations where the illegal use of water or electricity was detected, utility company Aqualectra immediately disconnected the unauthorized connections.
Inspectors also provided business owners with information about the rules and permits required to legally operate a garage in Curaçao. Several entrepreneurs were given an opportunity to apply for the necessary permits and bring their businesses into compliance.
ACOC and the Curaçao Police Force said multidisciplinary inspections such as these are important and will continue.
The Curaçao Action Center Against Undermining Crime operates under the Ministry of Justice and brings together government agencies and other partners in an integrated administrative approach to combating undermining crime.
The initiative focuses on cooperation between law enforcement, regulatory authorities and other government agencies to identify and address illegal activities that can allow criminal practices to become intertwined with legitimate businesses and the broader economy.