Dutch customs officers once again seize millions from Suriname

Dutch customs officers on Tuesday once again seized a huge quantity of foreign currency from Suriname. Reports indicate that € 4 million from the Republic Bank that had to go to the bank’s main office in Trinidad and Tobago via Amsterdam was confiscated. Two months ago Dutch customs officers seized € 19.5 million from 3 commercial banks in Suriname. Surinamese lawmakers responded by demanding an explanation from the government. The government is scheduled to give an explanation this week at a closed meeting. Sources told Times of Suriname that Finance Minister Gillmore Hoefdraad has several answers for parliament but that the government does not deem it wise to share those answers with legislators at a public session. It is said that although money from commercial banks was confiscated, other sectors such as the casino sector and other big branches that generate money will also be discussed. Sources also told Times of Suriname that Dutch Justice officials question the origin of the money and that they mentioned the international rules of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force regarding money laundering. Suriname has also committed itself to ‘checks and balances’ by signing several treaties in order to prevent ‘dirty’ money from ending up in the legal circuit. The banks can reportedly get their money back after they can explain where it came from. As a result of the demand from the Netherlands the local banks have also implemented strict rules for clients who deposit foreign currency. But the banks also introduced high fees which have been criticized by the public.