Philipsburg:--- As reported on SMN News on Tuesday the public prosecutor's office confirmed that they have arrested three suspects on Monday that are linked to the human smuggling investigation that has left at least six Haitians dead. The house search and arrests took place on Cole Bay hill in the vicinity of the 1234 & More store. According to reliable information reaching SMN News, the survivors who are currently held in Tortola fingered the persons that they paid to smuggle them to the British Virgin Islands. A press release from prosecutor Rienk Mud states that in conjunction with a motor vessel that was carrying over thirty people and that got shipwrecked near the island of Tortola on Sunday night, three men were arrested on St. Maarten later the same day. Consecutively three house searches were conducted followed by two searches in offices. Computers, documents and money (several thousands of dollars) were confiscated. The three men are J.J.C., 50 years old, L.B., 43 years old and L. S.-M., 62 years old, all born in Haiti and currently legally residing in St Maarten are now behind bars assisting the RST and Marechaussee with the investigations. The investigation is being conducted by a joined team of RST, Royal Marechaussee and KPS in cooperation with the Coastguard and French authorities. Currently detectives from St. Maarten are on the island of Tortola to further investigate this case together with local authorities. The three suspects will be charged with human smuggling. They will be led before the judge of instruction within 48 hours.
