The six persons implicated in the snatching of US$11.5 million worth of gold bars from a Guyana-registered cargo vessel in Curacao almost two months ago must now spend 60 days behind bars pending an ongoing probe on the Dutch Caribbean Island.
“The detention of the suspects today confirmed by the RC was prolonged for a maximum period of 60 days. Following is the renewal detention for up to 30 days and the additional extension detention by a maximum of 30 days”, a report in the Curacao Chronicle yesterday stated.
On December 27, 2012, the police, on behalf of the Public Prosecutor (OM), arrested seven persons in connection with this case…Suspects in this case are: G.R. (43), A. D. 46), M.P.B. (45), J.S. (44), L. S. (28) R. P. and (46). The prosecution did not rule out the possibility of more arrests.
Curacao police spokesperson Reggie Huggins had told Stabroek News that the six suspects, one from Bonaire, two from Venezuela and the others from Curacao, will remain in the custody of police for the daring $2.3 Billion heist of gold bars. He also stated that a quantity of gold had been confiscated during the operation which led to their arrests. He had also explained that the six can remain in custody for up to 56 days before charges are laid or they are released and if Police show reason why they should be held longer this can also be done.
The crew of the vessel, Summer Bliss, has not departed Curacao. When questioned why, Huggins had told Stabroek News that the crewmembers were not being held by the police and he did not know why they have not yet left the island. The police there would not release the names of the crewmembers, since they stated that the investigation was a sensitive one. However, a crew member who gave his name as Raymond Emmanuel had reportedly told AP that the crew left Guyana on November 26, bound for Curacao.
The same newspaper on Tuesday reported Public Relations Officer of the Public Prosecutor‘s office in Curacao Norman Serphos reaffirming what Huggins had said “We did not confiscate this boat. If the crew wants to leave, they can do so,” he said.
