PHILIPSBURG:--- The Prosecutor’s Office has explained that the woman arrested after three firearms were found in her luggage on a flight from Saba was released after further investigation corroborated her statement that she was unaware the weapons were in her luggage.
SMN News previously identified the traveler as the wife of former Saba Island Governor Jonathan Johnson. Authorities have not publicly confirmed her identity. She arrived at Princess Juliana International Airport on Tuesday, November 3.
The latest statement explains the prosecutor’s rationale for her release while confirming the investigation remains ongoing.
According to the Prosecutor’s Office, Customs officers arrested the woman on its instructions after discovering the firearms. All three weapons were confiscated.
During questioning, the woman stated that she did not know the firearms were in her luggage. Further investigation corroborated her account.
The prosecutor subsequently ordered her release because her continued detention was no longer necessary for the investigation.
The BES Prosecutor’s Office is conducting a related investigation. The statement describes that investigation as related to the continuing Sint Maarten investigation.
In Sint Maarten, the Forensic Investigation Unit, known as FO, must still examine the firearms and prepare a report on their condition and functionality. Those findings will help determine how the case is handled next.
A final prosecutorial decision will follow once the relevant investigations are complete.
Acting Justice Minister Marinka Gumbs previously told SMN News that she did not authorize the traveler’s release. She said no release document had been submitted to her or Justice Minister Nathalie Tackling’s office and that the custody decision rested with prosecutors. Gumbs also said she would respond to written questions from MP Lyndon Lewis after gathering the necessary information.
Earlier SMN News reporting raised questions about the traveler’s onward journey to Bonaire. The latest statement confirms the BES Prosecutor’s Office’s involvement but gives no details about travel conditions or the scope of its investigation.
Rijksrecherche Opens Separate Investigation on Saba
The BES Prosecutor’s Office has announced that the Rijksrecherche Caribisch Nederland has opened a separate criminal investigation into possible violations of the BES Firearms Act on Saba.
The investigation is being conducted under the direction of the BES Prosecutor’s Office because of connections between the Sint Maarten firearms case and the BES islands.
According to the statement, Customs officers arrested a woman at Sint Maarten’s airport on October 28 after discovering three firearms in her luggage. She had arrived on a flight from Saba. The Customs Corps Sint Maarten and the Sint Maarten Prosecutor’s Office are continuing their investigation.
The separate Rijksrecherche investigation will examine whether offenses under the BES Firearms Act occurred on Saba.
