PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – On Sunday, July 14th at approximately 04.45 p.m., a routine joint control was carried out at the Princess Juliana International Airport between the Customs Department and the Alpha Team on board of a private aircraft which originated from the country of Venezuela. During the control a large amount of gold bars were discovered on board of the aircraft.
These gold bars of considerable value were all confiscated after it was discovered that the documentation regarding the gold was not in order. After consultation with the Public prosecutor the decision was taken to have the Alpha Team continue with the further investigation. As the investigation continued the decision was taken to also confiscate the aircraft in question. The pilot, co-pilot and several persons of interest were interrogated as suspects of money laundering. The investigation is ongoing.
