PARAMARIBO — The Capital Crimes Department of the Suriname Police Force (KPS) has again arrested two suspects in the investigation into the theft of eleven cylinders containing mercury. This concerns police officers JB and MS, who, according to the police, probably trade in mercury and illegal firearms. After consultation with the Public Prosecution Service, both suspects were taken into custody.
Police spokesperson Michael Elskamp says that the two suspects were arrested on Tuesday (today) as part of the continued criminal investigation. JB is a sub-inspector and works in the Fraud department. According to Elskamp, he was in charge of managing the warehouse, including the container in which the mercury was stored. The police have not yet announced exactly what role the sub-inspector played in the disappearance of the eleven cylinders.
“Elskamp did not provide any further details about the possible relationship between MS and the police officer”
According to the police spokesperson, investigations have raised the suspicion that MS is involved in, among other things, the trade in mercury. He is also suspected of being involved in the trade in illegal weapons. Elskamp did not provide any further details about these suspicions or about the possible relationship between MS and the police officer.
Previous arrests
JB’s arrest brings the number of police officers arrested in connection with the case to four. Two days ago, CB, a member of the Paramaribo Regional Assistance Team, was handcuffed. On September 18, the KPS announced that RC and AK, both working in the Fraud department, had been taken into custody. Four civilians had also been arrested earlier, three of whom were released after questioning. The fourth suspect was initially detained, but was released by the Public Prosecution Service.
Police continue to investigate the theft. Capital Offenses attempts, among other things, to further map the involvement of the various suspects and the circumstances under which the mercury could disappear from storage.
