Curacao

Someone stole a large amount of cocaine from a police lockup in Curacao. The drugs had previously been confiscated by the police. The theft from the police terrain was discovered on Sunday morning at around 9:00 a.m., NOS reports.

The perpetrators forced two large metal doors to get to the drugs. Exactly how much cocaine was stolen, the Public Prosecutor on Curacao would not to say to NOS.

Later on Sunday a burning truck was found on the island. The police believe it may have been used in the robbery. 

The government of Curacao released a statement distancing itself from statements Minister Stef Blok of Foreign Affairs made about multicultural societies. The island's government "deeply regrets" the statements, because as foreign minister Blok also speaks on behalf of the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. The Surinamese government would like Blok to apologize for his statements.

Navy corporal Iris Homan from Hengelo was found dead in a swimming pool on the island of Curacao on May 21st. Her husband Bart D., also a corporal in the Dutch navy, was arrested. D. is not suspected off murder or manslaughter, "but of a certain negligence that led to her death", a spokesperson for the Public Prosecutor on the island said to De Stentor.

A crew member of TUIfly was arrested at Schiphol Airport on Saturday on suspicion of drug trafficking from Curacao. The Koninklijke Marechaussee confirmed that someone was arrested, but would give no further details, the Telegraaf reports.

The Koninklijke Marechaussee is a policing force that works as part of the Dutch military and is responsible for border control and airport security. "The investigation is ongoing", is all that a spokesperson would say to the Telegraaf. 

The population of Curaçao was forced to begin stockpiling food since neighboring country Venezuela announced a trade boycott with the Dutch Caribbean island on Friday. The trade ban also covered Aruba and Bonaire, all three of which rely heavily on the South American country's fruits and vegetables.

Dutch navy ship Zr. MS. Zeeland intercepted a drug transport of 600 kilograms of cocaine on the Caribbean ocean on Sunday evening. To stop the traffickers, the ship's helicopter had to shoot out the outside motor of the speedboat the smugglers were using, ANP reports.

Three people were arrested. They've been transferred to the authorities on Curacao.

King Willem-Alexander will visit Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatius and Saba on Monday to see the aftermath of Hurricane Irma with his own eyes, Minister Ronald Plasterk of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations said on Curacao on Sunday afternoon, ANP reports.

The court on Curacao sentenced pastor Orlando B. to nine years in prison for sexually assaulting three teenage girls and four young women. The court also banned him from working as pastor for 14 years, NOS reports.

The Public Prosecutor demanded 18 years in prison and a professional ban of 20 years against the man. He was charged with sexually assaulting a total of 10 women and girls. In three cases he was acquitted.

The Curacao court convicted Burney F. and sentenced him to 25 years in prison for ordering the assassination of politician Helmin Wiels. The court considers it proven that F. gave the gunman the order to kill Wiels, NOS reports. 

F. is currently imprisoned in the Netherlands for drug trafficking and money laundering. He 'attended' his trial on Curacao via a video stream. The court convicted F. based largely on statements by gunman Elvis K., who is currently serving life in prison in the Netherlands for his role in the assassination. 

Passengers on a KLM flight from Curacao to the Netherlands today will not be able to cast their vote in the parliamentary election. Their flight to the Netherlands was canceled, and the next flight only departs tomorrow, NOS reports.

A spokesperson for the Electoral Council told NOS that one of the passengers called them to find out if anything can be done. "It's very unfortunate, but we can't do a thing. At 9:00 p.m. tonight the polling stations close and those inside the polling stations can still cast their vote, but those who are too late can't."

A Dutch police team aimed at fighting corruption in the Caribbean part of the Netherands, is gaining steam. On Monday the team raided a number of properties on Sint Maarten and arrested a 35 year old man. He is suspected of money laundering, forgery and tax evasion, the Volkskrant reports.