Airport:--- On Monday August 20th 2012, Customs Officers at Princess Juliana International Airport confiscated approximately 610 grams of cocaine from a male passenger with the initials. F.P.B.The passenger was arrested and brought to the Customs Head Office for interrogation. Further investigation indicated that the suspect had also swallowed an unknown amount of bolitas, this was proven by X-ray pictures taken at the Sint Maarten Medical Center.
Two days after his arrest, he was brought back to the Sint Maarten Medical Center because of medical complications where he remained for 5 days under full custody. After an assessment of his condition by the medical staff, it was decided that surgery was necessary and 46 bolitas were removed from his intestine.
Two weeks ago Customs Officers also confiscated approximately 1 kilo of cocaine from a female passenger with the initials L.D.R. traveling from Curacao. This was ingeniously hidden inside a purse she was carrying with her. However, the inspecting officer was alert and prevented her from entering Sint Maarten with the forbidden substance.
Due to the ongoing investigations, further information cannot be released at this moment.
The addition of new personnel has enabled the Department to increase visibility and controls at both the airport and the harbor. This addition has also resulted in increased screening and inspection of containers and other cargo entering the harbor of Sint Maarten.