Two men to appear in court following discovery of 280 kilograms of cocaine on fishing boat near Curaçao
Burten W. (42) and Leonel B. (60) stand trial for smuggling 280 kilograms of cocaine. The public prosecutor seeks a sentence of seven years' imprisonment.
280 kilograms of cocaine found in hidden compartment of fishing boat
Burten W. (42) and Leonel B. (60) appeared before the judge on Friday charged with transporting 280 kilograms of cocaine aboard their fishing boat. NU.cw (Dutch Caribbean) reported this based on morning newspaper Extra. The Caribbean Coast Guard discovered the drugs during an inspection, hidden in a concealed compartment.
The two suspects deny guilt. According to their statement, they were forced by armed men to transport the drugs. Leonel B. explained that the pair were heading towards fishing grounds near the island of Aves — a route they had travelled frequently.
At one point, a blue boat approached them, the men stated. Armed occupants forced them to follow the boat. Once they reached the coast, the drugs were loaded into the compartment. The suspects maintain they were not aware of the existence of that hidden compartment.
The public prosecutor does not believe this account. Police found conversations on one of the suspects' phones concerning the trip and the transport. The public prosecutor's office seeks a prison sentence of seven years. The judge will deliver a ruling in three weeks.
Source: NU.cw (Dutch Caribbean)