Former customs officer gets 14 years for drug trafficking at Rotterdam port

Former customs officer Gerrit G. was convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to 14 years in prison on Tuesday. According to the court, G. used his position to let cocaine filled containers pass through the port of Rotterdam unchecked, ANP reports.

The court in Rotterdam found G. guilty of involvement in two drug transports in November 2014 and April 2015. These transports involved a total of 3,400 kilograms of cocaine. In doing so G. violated the his oath as customs official. "He seriously harmed the trust of his employer and colleagues by abusing his position.

G. let the drug containers through customs unchecked in exchange for payment from co-suspects Dennis van den Berg, Rene F. and Andre van der H. According to the Prosecutor, the corrupt customs official made at least 3.5 million euros in doing so.

Van den Berg, whose surname was published at his own request, was found guilty of importing cocaine, money laundering and the arms possession. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Rene F. is considered the middleman, who first approached Gerrit G. and introduced him to the other suspects. He was sentenced to four years in prison He was acquitted of involvement in the cocaine import.

Andre van der H. was sentenced to three years in prison. He was also acquitted of involvement in the cocaine import.