Tag Archives: Caribbean Crime

Book Review: Sneeuw over Curaçao by John van den Heuvel.

Black History, Caribbean, Crime Curacao, Crime Sint Maarten, Europe, Gang Culture., Gangs Curacao, Gangs Sint Maarten, Koraalspecht Curacao, No Limit Soldiers Curacao, politics, Sint Maarten, Tourism, , , , ,

 In Sneeuw over Curaçao (Snow Over Curaçao), veteran Dutch crime reporter John van den Heuvel delivers a gripping, non-fiction deep dive into the dark underbelly of the Caribbean. Known for his fearless reporting on organised crime, van den Heuvel shifts his focus from the streets of Amsterdam to the turquoise waters of the Antilles, revealing how this tropical paradise became a pivotal hub for the international cocaine trade.

The Premise

The “snow” in the title is, of course, a metaphor for cocaine. Van den Heuvel explores the symbiotic and often devastating relationship between South American drug cartels and the island of Curaçao. The book isn’t just a collection of police reports; it is a narrative journey through the corruption, money laundering, and violent power struggles that occur far away from the tourist resorts.

Key Themes and Insights

  • Geopolitical Vulnerability: The author explains how Curaçao’s location makes it a “stepping stone” for drugs travelling from Colombia and Venezuela toward Europe and North America.

  • The “Nieuwe Onderwereld” (New Underworld): Van den Heuvel documents the rise of a new generation of criminals who are more tech-savvy, more international, and significantly more ruthless than their predecessors.

  • The Toll on Society: Beyond the “glamour” of high-stakes crime, the book highlights the tragic impact on the local community, including the rise in liquidations (contract killings) and the erosion of political integrity.

Style and Impact

Van den Heuvel writes with the urgency of a breaking news story. His style is:

  1. Direct and Gritty: He doesn’t shy away from the graphic reality of the drug trade.

  2. Well-Researched: Utilising his vast network of informants and legal sources, the book feels authoritative and authentic.

  3. Personal: At times, the narrative reflects the personal risks van den Heuvel takes to uncover these stories, adding a layer of tension to the reading experience.

Final Verdict

Sneeuw over Curaçao is a must-read for fans of true crime and investigative journalism. It serves as a sobering reminder that behind the postcards of white sandy beaches lies a complex, dangerous industry. While the book focuses on a specific region, its lessons about global organised crime are universal.

“A chilling look at how the drug trade can paralyze a society, told by a man who has seen the front lines of the war on drugs firsthand.”

GUNS DESTINED FOR T&T INTERCEPTED BY US CUSTOMS (USCBP) IN PUERTO RICO.

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A cache of semi-automatic weapons and pistol magazines destined for T&T was discovered stashed away in a toolbox, by officials of the United States Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) last Wednesday in Puerto Rico.

According to a release posted on the USCBP website on Monday, the toolbox was sent via air courier from Tennessee to Port of Spain, Trinidad. The toolbox contained six semi-automatic pistols and nine pistol magazines.

Carlos Nieves, Port Director in Mayaguez-Aguadilla, in the release, noted that “The exportation of firearms requires a license in compliance with US Export Control regulations”.

“CBP officers enforce US import and export regulations to ensure that products entering the supply chain respect international trade agreements.”

The release added that on July 1, CBP officers inspected outbound parcels at the Rafael Hernandez International Airport and was alerted by a USCBP K-9 to a box manifested as “Gift Shipment” with $100 customs value declared.

“A more intrusive inspection revealed that the toolbox had six semiautomatic pistols and nine pistol magazines,” it stated.

“Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) took custody of the weapons for further investigation,” it added.

Police sources told Guardian Media that usually when findings such as this occur the Interpol is called in for tracing of addresses both of the recipient and sender.

However, when asked about the latest discovery and if he was contacted on it, Commissioner of Police, Gary Griffith, did not confirm or deny.

Recently, during a media conference Griffith, however, disclosed that according to intelligence received illegal arms and ammunition have been penetrating T&T’s borders through legal ports of entries. He added that because of such intelligence his officers are needed to carry out thorough inspections of containers and barrels before leaving the respective ports.

More Info

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) administers U.S. laws, regulations and policies governing the export and re-export of commodities, software, and technology (collectively “items”) falling under the jurisdiction of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).

USCBP works with the BIS to implement and enforce the EAR, which regulates the export, re-export, and transfer (in-country) of items with commercial uses that can also be used in conventional arms, weapons of mass destruction, terrorist activities, or human rights abuses, and less sensitive military items.

With more than 60,000 employees, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, USCBP, is one of the world’s largest law enforcement organisations and is charged with keeping terrorists and their weapons out of the U.S. while facilitating lawful international travel and trade.

As the United States’ first unified border entity, USCBP takes a comprehensive approach to border management and control, combining customs, immigration, border security, and agricultural protection into one coordinated and supportive activity.