The Public Prosecution Service demanded almost five years in prison on Thursday against six suspects between the ages of 31 and 38 from Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Heerhugowaard, IJmuiden and Haarlemmermeer. According to the justice department, five of them are responsible for a cargo theft at Schiphol in which 2.5 million dollars worth of electronics were stolen in June 2019. The sixth suspect, a 31-year-old man from IJmuiden, is considered guilty of money laundering by the Public Prosecution Service.
Garden lighting
In September 2019, the investigative services are investigating money laundering practices at an industrial estate in Beverwijk. Pallets are found in a warehouse with dozens of boxes of garden lighting. The items appear to have been stolen during a cargo theft in the night of June 4 to 5, 2019 at Schiphol-Zuidoost. Expensive electronics were stolen, such as smartphones, drones and action cameras.
Cracked messages
During the Royal Military Police’s investigation into the cargo theft, incriminating administration was seized, telephone conversations between various suspects were tapped, and witnesses testified about, among other things, the purchase of the trucks used in the theft. Encrypted conversations between the suspects have also been cracked. According to the justice system, they dismiss their criminal actions as apparently routine, as a ‘way of life’.
Professional
According to the Public Prosecution Service, it concerns a tightly planned, professionally executed theft: on an industrial estate at Schiphol, a loot of great value, trucks to remove the load, false license plates, and with help from within. The public prosecutor: ‘In addition to the help of flat employees, you need an organization that can prepare the theft down to the last detail, is prepared to incur costs and has channels to recover the valuable objects. All this is clearly reflected in this research.’
Division of tasks
According to the Public Prosecution Service, the roles of the suspects were different. According to the Public Prosecution Service, the employees of the transport company, two 34-year-old suspects from Hoofddorp, abused the trust their employer had in them. They give the go-ahead when the coast is clear and the trucks can drive onto the site to remove the load. In addition, according to the Public Prosecution Service, three suspects from Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Heerhugowaard were involved as organizers in the cargo theft. Finally, a 31-year-old suspect from IJmuiden ensured that the stolen loot was shipped to Dubai.
Money laundering
The Public Prosecution Service believes that five suspects – the two employees and the three organizers – can be proven to have contributed to the theft. The Public Prosecution Service is demanding prison sentences of 22 to 57 months against them. According to the Public Prosecution Service, the 31-year-old suspect from IJmuiden had no concrete involvement in the theft. The Public Prosecution Service does see sufficient evidence for the laundering and healing of the stolen goods. Justice is demanding 57 months in prison against him.
