15 years in prison for drug boss Piet Costa for large-scale cocaine smuggling

15 years in prison for drug boss Piet Costa for large-scale cocaine smuggling

On Monday, the court in Rotterdam sentenced Roger P., alias “Piet Costa” (50), to fifteen years in prison for large-scale international cocaine smuggling, preparatory acts, money laundering and participation in a criminal organization. In criminal case 26Sartell, nine men were on trial for these offences. Six suspects are sentenced to three to eight years in prison. Two suspects, including former professional football player Rachid B. (38), have been acquitted.

Ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp

On January 19, the Public Prosecution Service demanded almost eighteen years in prison against leader Piet Costa for large-scale international cocaine smuggling and money laundering. According to the court, the Rotterdam drug organization under his leadership is responsible for the importation of large consignments of cocaine into the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp: 1,015 kilos in 2015, 3,776 kilos in 2016 and 1,200 kilos in 2020. According to the judiciary, the criminal organization was also involved in preparing a transport of no less than 25,000 kilos of cocaine.

EncroChat

The evidence provided by the judiciary includes large amounts of encrypted chat messages from PGPSafe and EncroChat that the suspects sent to each other. Some of those chat messages come from a server in Costa Rica. Another part was captured during a hack by French investigative authorities.

The defense argued several times during the trial that this evidence was obtained illegally. However, the court is of the opinion that the evidence may indeed be used and that the rights of the suspects have not been violated. This is discussed in detail in the criminal judgment.

Aliases

According to the court in Rotterdam, the encrypted chat messages were always sent under different aliases. The conversations via these chats matched seamlessly with regard to content and it was clear to the users with which person they were communicating.

On the basis of various factors, the court was able to determine which aliases belong to the suspects, what they discussed with each other and what their part was in the criminal offences.

Acquittal

Against former Sparta footballer Rachid B., known for his horror tackle that cost the professional career of Go Ahead Eagles striker Niels Kokmeijer in 2004, the judiciary demanded four years in prison in January for laundering drug money from Piet Costa. B. was suspected of having been part of the organization around Piet Costa and, according to the Public Prosecution Service, would have laundered amounts of 75,460 and 78,800 euros and rented a luxury home in Barcelona where drug boss Piet Costa was staying.

B. had stated that as a former professional football player he had large sums of money at his disposal. The court does not consider this implausible and acquitted him of money laundering and participation in a criminal organization.

Torture containers

Another major criminal case is pending against Piet Costa. That is the case surrounding the so-called torture containers in which the judiciary demanded twelve years in prison against him in February. The verdict is expected in May.

Found this interesting? Then check our main news page where you can find all articles related to Crypto, Crime, Darknet, Security and much more!