WILLEMSTAD.- The case of the kidnapping of a merchant in the Veeris area on January 10th took a different turn. The merchant is now detained on suspicion of drug trafficking at the local and international levels. According to the police report, on March 12th, 2024, in the early morning hours, the Organized Crime Division of the Police Force, by order of the Public Prosecutor of Curacao, together with the KMar, Customs, Defense, and R.S.T., conducted several raids on two residences and five businesses. This was part of an investigation related to drug trafficking at the local and international levels. Raids were carried out in the areas of Santa Catharina, Janthiel, Seri Loraweg, Santa Rosa, Veeris, Buena Vista, and Santa Maria, and at one of these addresses, the man M.J.A.T., 41 years old, born in Curacao (the merchant kidnapped on January 10, 2024) was detained in connection with the mentioned case. Several items important to the investigation were found and confiscated at the locations. The investigation in this case continues, and it is not ruled out that there may be more detentions. The suspect was presented before an assistant prosecutor who ordered his imprisonment pending further investigation. Additional Information Available information indicates that the story of the kidnapping involving the merchant presented to the police was “too good to be true.” He was kidnapped by three men and taken in a dark-colored car. His business is located in Veeris and deals in uniforms. The presented story indicated that he was a worker of the same who had problems with them and that the kidnapping was orchestrated by some friends. However, detentions followed one after another. There were even people detained in the Netherlands. Until February 28th, there were 8 detentions, including a 61-year-old woman who seems to have been released by the police. There were many raids related to the kidnapping case.
