The video camera recordings were there, then they disappeared, one moment they were there, but when we needed the evidence, it was gone.
Hocus Pocus. I laughed when I saw the venerated attorney explain the magic on camera.
What do you think? You think we’re stupid?
Anyway, the media reported a story about a sea container that was checked, and double checked, by customs, then sealed. It contained recycled junk and was heading out for export. It remained standing in a public location for two days, then following a tip it was hauled to the Marine base, where it was opened.
WOW, apparently, by osmosis, or somehow magically, drugs managed to get into the locked space, and not a small quantity, a respectable amount, hidden in some discarded metal parts, which no one remembered if they were there from the start.
I cannot make something like that up. Drugs never stuff themselves, on their own volition, into a sea container, someone must have assisted them.
Still the investigation team did not link the drugs to the suspect, in other words they made the arrest way too soon, it did not stick.
In cases like that you need to build a strong case before you air it, says a friend in the know.
He also called it a botched investigation and asked me not to blame the detectives. It might also be poor judgement on behalf of the prosecutor office.
Detectives work hand in hand with the prosecutor office, he explained, and human error is possible, but generally speaking detectives are experienced and serious about their job, so we have to remember that Customs Detectives did the initial check.
I almost forget that Customs also has an investigation unit with police authority, and according to reports the first inspection of the container was conducted by the customs detectives.
The following day, a scandalous headline: Some new members of Customs involved in criminal activity.
I am not suggesting anything, but there are no co-incidences, in life.
Something is rotten in the Kingdom of Denmark (A quote from Shakespeare)
A lawyer friend sums it up:
I believe it is a botched investigation due to human error: They checked the container, found nothing and double sealed it with the seal of Customs, as well as the company’s seal. The container was delivered for shipment where it was intercepted, first at Barcadera harbor and later at the Marine Base where they went ahead and opened it. When opened they found certain parts containing a ton of drugs.
Now comes the kicker: The Customs guys that did the initial inspection can’t recall seeing these specific parts in the first place.
AND the Prosecutor could not hand over the video tapes made on the premises showing if someone entered the sealed container, or not.
PLUS, there was no report on whether the container was double sealed and intact, before they opened it since no one cared to inspect the seals.
Therefore, they can’t prove who placed the drugs in the container…Hocus Pocus.
What do you think? You think we’re stupid?
Of course, the case would have probably been stronger without the initial inspection, that so called ‘proved’ that there was nothing in the container, and this sudden amnesia that caused them all to forget the specific parts….
Epilogue: The man ended up being deported, he was on his third or forth iron junk container headed to Belgium via the Netherlands with 350 kg of drugs.
