The Netherlands - Three workers arrested in Schiphol cocaine trafficking plot; Weapons, cash seized

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Three workers arrested in Schiphol cocaine trafficking plot; Weapons, cash seized

A months-long investigation led by authorities at Schiphol Airport uncovered a plot to import a significant quantity of cocaine from Suriname by utilizing their access to the Amsterdam-area airport. Three men working either at or near Schiphol were arrested in connection with the scheme, the Marechaussee said on Friday. The military branch is responsible for policing Dutch airports and borders.

The suspects were identified as three men from Haarlem aged 31, 34, and 51. They were arrested in "recent weeks," the Marechaussee said, adding that two of them remain in pre-trial detention.

The investigation commenced in October 2024 based on intelligence gathered during an ongoing police inquiry. The three suspects in the case held positions within the temporary employment and transport sectors, granting them access to various businesses operating on and around the airport premises.

Using their roles at the airport, two of the men allegedly took preparatory actions to smuggle "a large consignment of cocaine" through the airport, the Marechaussee said. "A third suspect working at a company at Schiphol later came into view, who was also involved in the preparations for bringing in a shipment of narcotics on a flight from Suriname."

As part of the investigation, law enforcement executed searches at four residences, an office building, and multiple vehicles associated with the suspects. These searches yielded a significant haul of evidence, including firearms, a stun gun, ammunition, approximately 52,000 euros in cash, powerful fireworks, mobile phones, and luxury goods.

The case remains ongoing and is currently under the direction of the Public Prosecution Service of Noord-Holland. The investigation was part of a joint effort involving prosecutors, financial crimes inspectorate FIOD, and customs officials, known as the Hit-and-Run Cargo Team at Schiphol.

The specialized team at Schiphol, like similar teams operating at other key infrastructure points in the Netherlands, is focused on large-scale drug crime which can have the effect of bolstering organized crime by undermining the legal order of society. The team at Schiphol tries to catch suspects who abuse legitimate cargo and passenger transportation services by exploiting processes related to handling air freight, the Marechaussee said.

Three workers arrested in Schiphol cocaine trafficking plot; Weapons, cash seized

A months-long investigation led by authorities at Schiphol Airport uncovered a plot to import a significant quantity of cocaine from Suriname by utilizing their access to the Amsterdam-area airport. Three men working either at or near Schiphol were arrested in connection with the scheme, the...

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