Cocaine scheme nets fisherman family

Police arrested 11 people, Tuesday, on suspicion of drug trafficking and money laundering. The arrests took place in several places, among which IJmuiden, Den Helder, Velsen, Wieringen, and Hippolytushoef.

The Prosecution thinks the suspects were planning on smuggling in a large shipment of cocaine from Venezuela by sailboat.

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A father and his two sons, all fishermen from Wieringen, are suspected of using their business as a cover-up and providing nautical information. They were arrested.

Another 39-year-old Wieringen local and his girlfriend were also arrested for aiding the fishermen family. A 53-year-old suspect was arrested in Almere, and a 44-year-old in Velsen.

The police seized 200,000 euros in cash, 2 fishing boats, and 4 expensive cars (2 BMW's and 2 Mercedes).