The director of Van Wanrooy Transport is accused of cocaine trafficking. According to Colobian newspaper El Colombiano, Paul van W. maintained close links with the Clan del Golfo, the largest drug gang in the country.
Raid at Van Wanrooy after cocaine discovery
Police raided Van Wanrooy Transport in Oosterhout last week after two shipments of 3,500 and 4,000 kilos of cocaine respectively were found in the Antwerp port within a week. The loads have an estimated street value of 300 million euros. Police followed the transport from Antwerp to Oosterhout and ended up at Van Wanrooy. Four employees and a former employee were arrested, including director and owner Paul van W.
Colombian press: Van W. sat around the table with gang
El Colombiano writes that the director did business directly with the notorious Clan del Golfo. In Panama, he allegedly met some members of the gang. In messages to the drug gang, Van W. wrote, among other things, "I need white bananas, when will you send them to me?"
'What if these are misunderstood rumours?'
Van W.'s lawyer, Inez Weski, denounces the fact that the public prosecutor's office disclosed information about the suspect. Speaking to Omroep Brabant, Weski says: "It is unbelievable that the public prosecutor is taking this liberty. Meanwhile, the news from Colombia creates a certain image of my client that settles in the memory of everyone who reads it. Now what if these are misunderstood rumours? And I am powerless, because I cannot say anything about it."
Van Wanrooy previously suspected
Van Wanrooy Transport was already suspected of drug smuggling in 2011 after drugs were intercepted at the port of Rotterdam. Those drugs ended up on Van Wanrooy's premises via another transporter. In early 2014, Van W. was still acquitted after the charges against Van W. were found to be too light.
