Philipsburg:--- At least two former Ministers from the United People's Party would have to give an explanation to investigators that are currently busy with the ORCA (Bada Bing) alleged bribery investigation that involves Member of Parliament Patrick Illidge. SMN News has been reliably informed that when investigators searched the home of Member of Parliament Patrick Illidge on Saturday March 9th, 2013 while the MP was in the Netherlands they found an un-licensed and unregistered firearm in the former Minister who is now a Member of Parliament's house.
The brand new firearm and its bullets were confiscated and to date investigators have not returned the firearm to the MP. SMN News learnt that when Illidge bought the firearm he was not given a receipt, therefore investigators have to conduct the necessary tracing to find out the origin, who bought the firearm, and how it reached St. Maarten. It should be noted that Member of Parliament Patrick Illidge has the right to carry a firearm since he was a Minister in the former Netherlands Antilles, that right extends up to four years after the Minister's term ended but in the case of Illidge he did not own or carry a firearm while he was a Minister in the Netherlands Antilles. According to reliable sources, Illidge secured a firearm when he declared himself an Independent Member of Parliament to support the United People's Party. "Two of the UP Ministers, bought the firearm for Patrick Illidge who later tried to register the firearm but that too was never done." SMN News learnt that the person that is heading the Narcotics and Firearms Department at KPSM never responded to MP Illidge's request to register the firearm.
SMN News learnt from well placed sources that MP Illidge claims to have purchased the weapon from a former UP Minister whom he said brought in weapons from Miami. The source said that the two UP Ministers also bought firearms for themselves and placed them on containers that brought in goods to the island. According to one source, the firearms owned by the former Ministers were not registered even though that is required.
Attorney General of St. Maarten Taco Stein confirmed to SMN News on Wednesday that a firearm was found in MP Illidge's home and that the investigators are also investigating the origin of the firearm. Stein said the investigators are busy with the ORCA investigation but right now there is no new development that would interest the media. When SMN News reporter asked Stein if the person (former Minister) who allegedly sold MP Illidge the firearm had a license to import and sell firearms, Stein said he could not comment further but rest assure all aspects of the case are being investigated. Stein said everyone that is involved in the case will be questioned and the necessary actions will be taken when that time comes.
While the community of St. Maarten was shocked when they saw the Bada Bing alleged bribery tape, it appears that there are more crimes that were being committed by persons that held public office than meets the eye of the ordinary man on the street.