The Public Prosecution Service (OM) has demanded a 7-year prison sentence against a 53-year-old man. The man is alleged to be involved in the preparation of several international drug transports and is further suspected of money laundering and drug and weapon possession.
The investigation began after the police obtained a large number of decrypted crypto messages from 2020. According to the police and OM, these messages reveal the suspects involvement in drug trafficking and money laundering practices, who was sentenced in 2013 to 8 years in prison for similar crimes. In the aftermath of that case, he was also ordered by the Rotterdam court in 2020 to pay approximately 50 million euros, the estimated proceeds from drug trafficking and extortion. This confiscation case is still pending in appeal. Later today, the substantive hearing will take place.
Drug Trafficking
In investigation 26Wetumpka, the police gained detailed insight into the smuggling of a shipment of cocaine. In early May 2020, a load of 224 kilograms was seized in the port of Valencia. This shipment of cocaine was transported by ship from the Dominican Republic to the Spanish city. According to the OM, messages indicate that the Dutchman played a role in this, among other things, by bringing together the sender and the recipient of the cocaine shipment.
Numerous Conversations
The OM accuses the suspect of having conducted a large number of conversations via the crypto communication service Sky ECC for nearly a year from November 2019 to November 2020, concerning the transport, import, trade, and export of drugs, particularly cocaine. For instance, in March 2020, he indicated that he was looking for fruit or fish to impregnate. According to the OM, this impregnation can only refer to impregnating fruit or fish with narcotics given the context.
Doors
In the messaging, which is full of jargon and photos of drugs, there is no restraint in discussing drug trafficking and hinting at corrupt customs contacts in ports. A striking example: Next one is already ready. I have mega doors Rotterdam Antwerp Algasiras and Valencia, all with stripes. In detail, discussions are held about drug shipments being transported from South America to Europe. The suspect also talks about seized shipments and quantities of collo (cocaine from Colombia) or bolli (from Bolivia). These conversations can only be interpreted as relating to the international cocaine trade.
Money Laundering and Violence
In addition to involvement in the preparation of international drug trade, the man is also suspected of money laundering. This suspicion is also based on conversations the man had about large sums of money. Specifically, it concerns an amount of 550,000 euros. That the suspect operates in a drug world known for its violence is also evident during his arrest at the end of April 2024. In the hotel room where he stayed with his girlfriend and her son, the police found a firearm and 14 bullets in the inner pocket of a jacket. The man is also prosecuted for this.
Long-Term Imprisonment
For the OM, it is clear that the suspect has been involved in international cocaine trade and money laundering between 2019 and 2020: Each of these are serious criminal offenses committed over a long period, the public prosecutor begins her sentencing demand. After his arrest, the man spent about six months in pre-trial detention. He was then released by the court. One of the conditions was that he was not allowed to leave the country. In December, it became apparent that the man had traveled to Spain. Therefore, in December 2024, the suspension was lifted. The suspect was also not present at the hearing today. Given all of the above, the OM demands a prison sentence of 7 years against the suspect.