PHILIPSBURG:--- The SWAT Team of KPSM raided several locations on Thursday morning in an apparent drug related investigation. SMN News managed to be at one of the scenes located at 120 Union Road Cole Bay. Bystanders who saw when police swarmed the apartment said the SWAT Team arrested two persons in the apartment at 120 Union Road. "We saw the black clothes police leave with a Spanish looking man and white-skinned person. We do not know where he is from maybe French or even Colombia," one of the bystanders said.
Shortly after, the judge of instruction Tamara Thyhius and other staff of the Court of First Instance showed up at the previously mentioned location. They also went inside the apartment and left about a half an hour after. Several detectives and other police officers also showed up at the location and they stayed there for hours as they combed through apartment. Even the IT technician for KPSM was seen entering the apartment where the two men apparently lived.
Reliable information reaching SMN News states that KPSM is conducting a huge drug investigation which led to the searches Thursday morning.
Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson could not be reached for a comment while the Attorney General of St. Maarten Taco Stein said he was unaware of the raids. Press Prosecutor Tineke Kamps could not be reached prior to this publication. SMN News will bring you more information as it becomes available.
Click here to view photos of KPSM conducting raids.
Arrests and house searches in drugs investigation.
On Thursday February 20, 2014, at approximately 6am, five suspects were arrested on suspicion of (international) dealing in narcotics. House searches took place in five houses and one company building in Sint Maarten. The arrests and house searches were carried out in a criminal investigation called "Saxophone", done by Korps Politie Sint Maarten (KPSM). The arrested persons are suspected of involvement in the import of hard drugs. It involves four men H.R., G.O.W., S.E.G. and H.M.H. and a woman J.M.
The premises are located in Cole Bay and Sucker Garden, amongst others areas. The house searches were led by the judge of instruction in presence of the public prosecutor. During the searches, in particular was sought for narcotics and data carriers. Goods like telephones and computers were confiscated for further investigation. Regarding the ongoing investigation no further information can be disclosed.
Press Release from Public Prosecutor's Office
