PHILIPSBURG--The Judge of Instruction on Friday deemed the detention of the suspects in the Pompei investigation, Etienne “Tochi” Meyers (65), D.F. (54), Le Petit Chateau’s manager Louella Rog (50) and R.L.R. (47) lawful.
Officers of the Kingdom Detective Cooperation Team, RST, assisted by members of the St. Maarten Police Force, KPSM the Dutch Royal Marechaussee and the National Detectives Agency held searches at brothels El Capitan and Le Petit Chateau and at E.R.M.’s house on Monday, November 1.
The suspects were arrested that same day in connection with human trafficking (exploitation of girls working at the brothels – “animeermeisjes”), illegal confinement (locking up the girls), illegal employment and human smuggling in the Pompei investigation. The judgment also means that there is a reasonable suspicion against all the suspects for all these criminal facts.
On Thursday, November 3, the Prosecutor had prolonged the detention of the four suspects with eight more days.
A total of 29 women from the Dominican Republic and Colombia were present during the searches. The majority did not have valid permits. They were to be handed over to the Immigration authorities to be deported.
Chief Prosecutor Ton Maan asked Minister of Justice Edson Kirindongo to consider closing the brothels by suspending their business licenses. However, this is unlikely, as the criminal investigation is still ongoing. The Prosecutor had requested suspension of Casa Blanca’s licence during that investigation, but this request was denied by the Judge as the case was still being investigated at the time.
