Aruba: More Arrests in Criminal Drug Gangs … Good Police Work in Aruba, So what Happened in the Natalee Holloway Case?

Would someone like to explain how the difference between the drug and money laundering cases in Aruba is different from the Natalee Holloway investigation?

The Aruban police have arrested two more suspects in the large scale drug dealing and money laundering investigation. Its amazing what the Aruban police can do when they set their minds to it.  Here is a rather interesting comment when it comes to the arrests of suspects in Aruba. So when a magistrate extends custody for 60 days, they have hard evidence in hand? We can remember that Joran Van der Sloot, Deepak and Satish Kalpoe’s custody stays were extended. What’s the difference?

Since September 24th, the OM has arrested a total of ten persons that are involved in drug operations.  Of the first eight, only one was released up till now.  The examining magistrate has decided to extend the custody of the other seven with another 60 days.  This means that the OM has hard evidence in hands.

Why was this investigation handled in a more thorough and professional manner than say the Natalee Holloway missing persons case? We were told that the Aruban police were overwhelmed by the enormity of the case. It would appear that a drug and money laundering long term surveillance and investigation would be quite an intricate and difficult job. So then it was not police incompetence, but something more? What would it look like or people say if everyone that was arrested in this drug and money laundering were released and never prosecuted?

What’s the difference?

Amigoe, October 23, 2007: More arrests criminal drug gangs

ORANJESTAD – We just learned now that the police have arrested two new suspects as part of the large-scale judicial investigation into drug dealings and money laundering.  One of the two suspects was arrested yesterday on the basis of National ordinance Admission and Deportation.  The other person was arrested for taking part in a criminal organization, money laundering, and drug dealing. 

Since September 24th, the OM has arrested a total of ten persons that are involved in drug operations.  Of the first eight, only one was released up till now.  The examining magistrate has decided to extend the custody of the other seven with another 60 days.  This means that the OM has hard evidence in hands.

Last month’s action resulted from an investigation of the Detective Cooperative Team (RST) in Aruba, which investigation has been going for a long time and was started under the direction of the Public Prosecutor.  Also six persons were arrested under suspicion of staying illegally on the island.

The RST was assisted by a great number of colleagues of the Police Corps Aruba (KPA) and of the Customs Department.  Financial- and digital experts from the Netherlands have supported the action.

The special squad was called in to assist in the arrest of some dangerous armed suspects.  Because the operation was so big, also the special squad from Curacao was called in to help their colleagues in Aruba.  Also special sniffer dogs of the Corps National Police Service (KLPD) from the Netherlands were put in to search for hidden drugs and money.  One of the suspects is the well-known businessman Luis Mansur (63), who fired his gun when the police entered his home.

His permanent pilot, E.T. was also arrested recently.  His house was search and weapons were found.  He is in custody for further interrogation by the RST.