Authorities in Curaçao arrested four current Coast Guard employees and one former employee yesterday morning as part of ongoing investigations named JAQUE, BOREALIS, and KAUS. Law enforcement, including police, prosecutors, and a magistrate commissioner, also conducted five searches at residences and an office related to the case.
Allegations of assisting drug traffickers
The JAQUE investigation centers on allegations that Coast Guard employees facilitated drug trafficking operations, a serious offense under the 1960 Narcotics Ordinance. Investigators discovered that employees secretly allowed GPS devices to be installed on Coast Guard vessels, enabling criminals to track the ships’ movements in real-time.
Potential for more arrests
Authorities have indicated that additional arrests may follow as the investigation progresses. While the focus remains on activities in Curaçao, neither Aruba nor Sint Maarten has been specifically implicated in this case.
This investigation highlights the serious breach of trust and security within the Coast Guard and its potential implications for the region’s fight against organized crime.
