MARIGOT--The Gendarmerie on Friday collected two inmates from the Pointe Blanche prison for a scheduled appearance at the court in Marigot, marking the first time a joint operation of this nature has been carried out with the Dutch side and the second example of successful joint law enforcement collaboration since implementation of the cross border cooperation treaty.
The heavily-guarded inmates were taken from Philipsburg to Marigot in a convoy of vehicles around midday, passing through Dutch Quarter and French Quarter, leading many to wonder if a dangerous suspect was about to be arrested.
Armed Gendarmes provided reinforced security around the courthouse in Marigot while the prisoners were inside and for their exit and return to prison in Pointe Blanche.
The transfer of prisoners to court in Marigot was requested by the Attorney General’s office in Basse Terre, Guadeloupe. The prisoners were involved in a serious case of armed robbery and rape on the French side some years ago, as well as armed robbery on the Dutch side for which they are already serving time. The French-side case is still under investigation.
Vice-Prosecutor Yves Paillard described the operation as a “perfect cooperation between the two prosecutors’ offices, enabling the transfer for the French procedure.”
Deputy Commandant, Capitaine Emmanuel Maignan said: “It was a very successful operation with the Korps Polite St. Maarten (KPSM) We look forward to cooperating on more operations together.”
