In a case about the possession of 1300 kilos of cocaine and money laundering of 23 million euros, the Public Prosecution Service in Limburg has made procedural agreements. OM and the lawyer have agreed to demand five years in prison and a fine of 100,000. The suspect makes no further defence.
(Image from archive)
Sky ECC Chats
The defense has also not submitted any research requests. It remains to be seen in two weeks whether the court also agrees with the deal made.
The investigation into the suspect started on the basis of intercepted Sky ECC chats. Those conversations led to a group of suspects who separately and collectively transported large quantities of cocaine, weed and money.
These chats show that the 29-year-old man from Lanaken was involved in the deliberate transport of more than 1300 kilograms of cocaine between November 2020 and February 2021.
Underground banking
According to the Public Prosecution Service, the suspect was also guilty of co-perpetration of money laundering through underground banking. The group of suspects, in varying composition, transported very large amounts of money for others or received large amounts of money. This money mainly comes from drug trafficking. In total, this amounted to approximately 23 million euros during this period.
In underground banking, so-called “tokens” are used as proof of payment when transferring large sums of cash. The tokens are often banknotes of 5 or 10 euros. By comparing the serial numbers, the tokens can be checked.
So that the person with this banknote can take the money with him. Sometimes the amount is also written on the token for administration.
Pay extra
In addition to the agreements on the criminal case, the Public Prosecution Service and the defense have also reached a settlement on the confiscation procedure regarding the criminal profit of the suspect.
The file shows that the cocaine did not belong to the suspect, but that he was paid by others for his services.
In the settlement agreement, the OM and the defense have agreed that he must pay an amount of 149,000 euros on top of the fine demanded. The investigation team seized, among other things, three Rolexes and cryptocurrency worth 10,000 euros. As part of the process agreements, the suspect has waived these goods. He must pay the remainder.
Efficient
Both the Public Prosecution Service and the defense want to make the handling of the criminal case as efficient as possible by making procedural agreements.
If the court agrees to the agreements, this extensive and complex criminal case will be completed within six months of the suspect’s arrest.
In May of this year, a 47-year-old man from Valkenburg was already on trial in this case for co-perpetration of the import of weed and co-perpetration of money laundering. Process agreements have also been made with this suspect.
Other suspects
There are three other suspects in the investigation. A 40-year-old man from Berg en Terblijt was arrested in June 2023 and has since been released for the time being. A 55-year-old Dutchman from Zutendaal (B) was arrested in Belgium in June 2023. The Public Prosecution Service has asked Belgium for his extradition. A 32-year-old man from Maastricht was recently arrested in the United Arab Emirates. His surrender has also been requested.
Also see:
Process agreement on 7.2 tons of cocaine: seven years in prison
More than 4.5 years in prison for cocaine trafficking after trial agreements
Court agrees with agreements, in coke case about 9 tons (UPDATE)
Drug suspect came to the Netherlands voluntarily after process agreements
