Ten police officers arrested in Paramaribo drugs scandal
Following an operation in which cocaine and weapons were found, ten police officers have now been arrested on suspicion of theft of drugs and participation in a criminal group.
Ten police officers arrested in Paramaribo drugs scandal
The Surinamese police force announced on Wednesday that seven agents from the arrest team have been detained. They are suspected of involvement in the theft of cocaine and cooperation with a criminal group. This brings the total number of police officers arrested in this investigation to ten.
Last week, three sergeants — H.E. (34), P.D. (38) and A.D. (42) — were remanded in custody. They too must answer charges for breaching drug regulations and membership of a criminal organisation. The Narcotics Brigade, which is conducting the investigation, arrested the seven arrest team members following coordination with the public prosecutor's office, according to De Ware Tijd Online.
The investigation began following an operation on 2 June in the Kleine and Gompertstraat. During that operation, officers found nearly 83 kilograms of cocaine and firearms in two vehicles. Five individuals were arrested at that time and the vehicles were seized.
The police officers are suspected of having misappropriated a quantity of the seized drugs. One of those arrested stated that the cocaine shipment was much larger than the just over 82 kilograms that was officially recorded. Following witness statements from surveillance personnel and arrest team members, the ten arrests followed. The criminal investigation is ongoing.
Source: De Ware Tijd