WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao police carried out a search overnight at the residence of Dutch baseball international Jonathan Schoop as part of a large-scale law enforcement operation that led to the arrest of nine people. The searches were confirmed by both the Public Prosecution Service (OM) and the Curaçao Police Force.
The operation began in the early morning hours and involved coordinated raids at multiple locations across the island. These included a food truck along the Rooseveltweg and several homes in the Sta. Maria area and surrounding neighborhoods. During the action, police confiscated four firearms and a significant quantity of ammunition.
According to the Public Prosecution Service, the operation is part of an ongoing investigation into violations of the Firearms Ordinance and the enforcement of preventive watch lists. Authorities say no further details can be released at this stage due to the sensitivity of the investigation.
Among those arrested are eight men and one woman. Police have not disclosed whether Jonathan Schoop himself is among the suspects. However, they confirmed that the home of a “well-known baseball player” was searched in connection with the same investigation.
Law enforcement sources indicate that the case may be linked to recent shooting incidents targeting residential properties on Curaçao, though this has not been officially confirmed.
Jonathan Schoop, 34, played in Major League Baseball from 2013 to 2023, representing teams including the Baltimore Orioles, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers. He has also been a regular member of the Dutch national baseball team, competing in multiple international tournaments.
Schoop most recently played in the European Baseball Championship held in Rotterdam last September and is widely regarded as one of the most prominent players of his generation within the Kingdom team. It remains unclear whether the police investigation will have any impact on his potential selection for the upcoming World Baseball Classic in March, with the final roster expected to be announced next week.