~Remains a suspect in Ostrich case~
PHILIPSBURG--The Judge of Instruction on Friday deemed the arrest and detention of Attorney Brenda Brooks lawful, however her detention was suspended by the Prosecutor’s Office because of health reasons.
The judge believes there are sufficient suspicions of involvement in bribing and human smuggling against the suspect. According to a statement by spokesman Gino Bernadina “The Prosecutor decided late afternoon on Friday to send the suspect home due to a medical emergency.”
The sick-bay at the House of Detention does not have room for the suspect, according to the prosecution. The arrest was part of a lengthy investigation that has been ongoing since April 2016, code-named Ostrich. Brooks will remain free until her court date.
It concerns an investigation carried out by the Unit Human Trafficking and Human Smuggling of the St. Maarten Police Force KPSM into the illegal admittance of Jamaicans, Haitians and Guyanese nationals.
