News Article | 17-07-2025 | 15:52

Following a TCI report (Team Criminal Intelligence), the Port Combined Team, a collaboration between the Port Police, FIOD, and the National Criminal Investigation Department, started an investigation in July 2022. It was revealed that the customs officer was being assisted by her older sister, who acted as the linking pin to two other suspects presumably involved in cocaine trafficking.

Large Sums of Money

The customs officer had continuous access to a mobile phone with which she could communicate securely. She had extensive contact with criminals involved in the import of cocaine. In total, thousands of messages were exchanged, of which a limited number have been decrypted.

Research has shown that the woman played a leading role. She imposed conditions on payments and the quality of the information. Additionally, she provided solicited and unsolicited advice on risks and signals from the customs systems that contained crucial information for criminals involved in cocaine transports. The customs officer also met physically with the criminals.

For this, the suspect demands large sums of money. For each request, she asks for 25,000 euros. She presumably stores this money with her older sister, where a large amount of cash was found.

Trust in the Rule of Law Damaged

“It hardly needs saying that the suspect knew very well that her information was being used to facilitate the transport of cocaine via containers in the port,” said the public prosecutor during the hearing. “The chats mention batches, being in the red, and the HARC team. The suspect knows better than anyone that this refers to cocaine, as evidenced by her remark: if suspected, Im in trouble.”

The seriousness of these facts cannot be overstated. This case involves a customs officer, someone who is primarily responsible for guarding our national borders against the import of prohibited goods, who has abused her position for criminal purposes and personal gain. The public prosecutor stated: “By sharing confidential information and deliberately undermining her control function, she has compromised the core of customs supervision. In doing so, she has not only squandered her office but also damaged public trust in a vital link of our rule of law.”

The actions of the suspect are directly linked to the large-scale import of cocaine in this port city, a crime that threatens public health and undermines the integrity of the economy and society. “Instead of protecting society, she has knowingly exposed it to the risks of international drug trafficking.”

The Public Prosecution Service has demanded a prison sentence of 42 months against the sister of the customs officer. Four years have been demanded against the two men.