PHILIPSBURG - The searches in St. Maarten led by the investigative Judge that have taken place on December 13, 2016, have been completed. Suspect F.C. (56) who was arrested by the Anti-corruption Taskforce (TBO) of the Kingdom Detectives Cooperation Team (RST) at the request of Italian authorities is still in custody.

 

He will appear on Thursday before the Judge of Instruction to review his detention. Italy will ask for his extradition based on suspicions of tax evasion and money laundering.

 

The team is now working on confiscating among other things property and three boats belonging to the suspect. The Italian authorities have indicated that properties belonging to the suspect worth up to 215 million euro can be confiscated.

 

The searches and arrest that have taken place are part of an internationally coordinated action in Italy, Sint Maarten, The Netherlands and French Saint Martin. The suspect R.B. (50) born in The Netherlands has been arrested on French Saint Martin. Furthermore searches have taken place in Italy and suspects have been arrested. Finally in Amsterdam an office building has been searched.

 

This international cooperation between Italy, St. Maarten, French Saint Martin and the Netherlands fits into the joint, intensive approach to combat cross-border corruption and fraud, also called “undermining”. Undermining, including corruption and money laundering, poses a serious threat to the security and economy of the countries in the Caribbean part of the Dutch Kingdom. The TBO of the RST, the National Detectives Agencies of Curaçao and Sint Maarten and the Prosecutor’s Office are partners in the fight against “undermining”.

 

Photo: three boats have been confiscated