PHILIPSBURG–Despite a well-organised protest at the Court House on Monday, with protestors calling for the release of the main suspect in the Pompei investigation – brothel owner Etienne “Tochi” Meyers – the court has decided to keep Meyers in detention for the next 60 days.
This is what the judge of instruction decided on Tuesday afternoon after the closed door session that had taken place on Monday, November 21.
Meyers, the owner of adult entertainment club Le Petit Chateau and El Capitan and his assistant manager D.F,’s detention has been extended by 60 days, while the third suspect brothel manager Louella Rog (50) was released. She is the second suspect to be released in the investigation.
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 Meyers’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.
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 handed over to the Immigration authorities to be deported.
Bron: Daily Herald