Man Sentenced in Aruba for Money Laundering 300,000 euros in Drug Money, Verdict is of Great Importance … Surely you Jest

Aruba prosecutes a man for 2 years for what is the equivalence of $400K US in money laundering and some how this is a ground breaking, important verdict? For who exactly? Seriously, any arrest and prosecution for money laundering in Aruba is usually a good things as money laundering is inherently tied with drug trafficking. However, in the Caribbean $400K is nothing as compared to the multi-billion dollar drug trade in which money laundering goes hand in hand. Talk about a drop in the bucket.

The billions of dollars now believed to be flowing through such offshore bank havens as Antigua, Aruba, the Cayman Islands and St. Maarten are difficult for authorities to trace because under these countries’ laws it is easy to open a bank, and depositor and transaction information must be kept secret. In some Caribbean nations, money laundering is not a crime.

Barry McCaffrey, a retired general who is the Clinton administration’s anti-drug czar, said he had seen estimates that up to $50 billion from the sale of narcotics, out of an annual world total of $500 billion, is laundered through the Caribbean, making it a “ferociously corrupting influence” in the region. (Washington Post)

This case is supposed to make cases easier, who are they kidding? The guy who was arrested was a rank armature. That what protects drug dealers and money launders is not the restrictions of laws to go after them, but the fear to.

In most cases, it is very difficult for the police and the OM to accurately indicate from which specific drug- or other illegal transaction the money comes from. (Amigoe)

Arresting someone for laundering 300,000 euros as compared to what actually goes on in Aruba is like bringing a knife to a gun fight. But then again how typical, on the surface it appears to be a good will gesture, but in reality means nothing. All show and no substance.

Amigoe, May 21, 2007: Location and persecution of money laundering matters easier  

ORANJESTAD – The Public Prosecutor (OM) won an important criminal case yesterday.  The case was about money laundering.  The judge sentenced a man to two years imprisonment for laundering 300.000 euro originating from dealing in narcotics.  This judgement is going to make it easier for the OM to proof money laundering practices.  

The ministry indicated that this verdict is of great importance.  Up till this verdict it was very difficult for the OM to get judgements in money laundering, due to furnishing of proof.  Most of the money that is laundered, originates from drug dealings.  In most cases, it is very difficult for the police and the OM to accurately indicate from which specific drug- or other illegal transaction the money comes from. The OM does no longer need to do this; not in this case and not in future ones.  Proving that the suspect should have known that the money comes from a crime is sufficient for the judge.   

The new money laundering act in Aruba is in line with the administration of justice of the Supreme Court in the Netherlands .  This makes it much easier for the police and the OM.   In yesterday’s case, the judge decided that the money had to come from a crime.  The suspect hid the money in a professional manner.  The false declaration of E.L.J. about the origin of the money and the contacts he had with persons that took part in laundering organizations for drug money, were sufficient proof for the judge to sentence the guy to imprisonment.