PHILIPSBURG:--- On Friday December 6th, 2013, the RST and KPSM conducted some house searches as they continue with the Bromelia Investigation. Press Prosecutor Tineke Kamps stated in a press release that five houses and three buildings on St. Maarten were searched while one house on the French side was also searched with the help of the Gendarmerie.
The house searches took place in Pointe Blanche, Cole Bay, Sucker Garden, amongst others areas.
The house searches were led by the judge of instruction in presence of the public prosecutor. The house searches had place in a criminal money laundering investigation, called "Bromelia". The press release further stated that the Recherche Samenwerkingsteam (RST) KPSM and the Gendarmes conducted the searches.
The investigators were looking for goods, administrative documents, data carriers all of which were confiscated as the investigation continues. Police also seized five cars, and a truck. One male identified as O.D. was arrested for the possession of a firearm.
The vague press release further stated that in September 2013, six persons were arrested for the possession of firearms, narcotics, and the suspects were found with a significant amount of monies. Currently four persons are still in pretrial detention. Prosecutor Kamps said that after the arrests made in September 2013, the Bromelia investigation began. The Prosecutor's Office will not release any further information on the ongoing investigation at this time.
On September 17th, 2013, the police spokesperson for KPSM said via a press release that they arrested six persons during a routine control. The release that was published back in September states that the Police Special Task Force (Zero Tolerance) were in the Keys area when they spotted three vehicles that were suspiciously parked on the side of the street. The officers also saw several men sitting in these vehicles and they smelled a very strong scent of marijuana coming from the direction of the vehicles in question. The officers approached the vehicles in order to have them checked for illegal drugs and the occupants identified. During the investigation, a considerable amount of cocaine and cash were found. In connection with this case five young men between the ages of 23 and 33 were arrested and taken to the Philipsburg Police Head Quarters where they are being held for questioning. The drugs, cash, and vehicles in question were all confiscated for further investigation.