Minister Glenbert Croes Arrested in Portulaca Investigation: Unusual Detention Raises Concerns
In a significant development today, October 8, 2024, Minister of Labor, Energy, and Integration Glenbert Croes was arrested as part of the ongoing Portulaca investigation. According to a press release from the Public Prosecution Service, a search was also conducted at Croes’ home following his arrest. The Portulaca investigation is a long-term inquiry led by the prosecution focusing on suspected criminal offenses related to the issuance of residence and work permits between 2020 and the present.
Portulaca has made headlines before. Earlier this year, multiple arrests were made on June 4, 2024, and searches were conducted at various homes and business premises. The suspicion against Minister Croes emerged after analyzing objects seized during these earlier raids.
One notable aspect of Croes’ detention is that he was taken to the Dutch Marine base in Savaneta rather than a police station or the office of the Landsrecherche, which is the more conventional location for interrogations. The choice of location, reminiscent of the case involving Venezuelan official Hugo “El Pollo” Carvajal, has fueled speculation. However, no further details have been provided by authorities about why Croes was taken to this specific site. The site’s use choice is likely due to or in cooperation with the Dutch government.
What is Portulaca?
Interestingly, the investigation’s name, Portulaca, shares its name with a herb also known as purslane. Purslane is a hardy, drought-tolerant plant. But beyond its ornamental uses, Portulaca is also an edible plant. The connection between the plant and the investigation remains unclear. The choice of this name could be a metaphor for something resilient, widespread, or perhaps even quietly spreading, much like the allegations the investigation centers around.
Legal Ramifications and the Minister’s Status
According to Article 17 b. of the Landsverordening Integriteit Ministers (AB 2021 no. 20-13), if a minister is officially labeled a suspect in a criminal investigation, they must resign immediately. The article explicitly states:
“De minister dient met onmiddellijke ingang zijn ontslag in, indien de minister:
b. als verdachte wordt aangemerkt in een lopend strafrechtelijk onderzoek ter zake van een misdrijf.”
(Translation: “The minister must immediately submit their resignation if they are designated as a suspect in an ongoing criminal investigation for a crime.”)
As of now, Croes is under investigation and has not made any statements.
Prosecution Limits Information and Timing of Arrest
The Prosecution has strictly restricted Minister Croes’s contact, allowing him to speak only with his lawyers. In their press release, they clarified that the timing of the arrest was based on the investigation’s findings and not influenced by recent political events, including the cabinet’s collapse on September 9 and the announcement of new elections.
They emphasized that the arrest occurred when the suspicion against Croes became concrete and fit into the existing planning of the National Criminal Investigation Department, the examining magistrate, and the Prosecution. The authorities have also indicated that more arrests may be made as the investigation continues.
The Portulaca investigation appears far from over, and the arrest of such a prominent political figure signals a severe escalation in the case. The public and political establishment will watch closely as more information becomes available.
Stay tuned for updates on this unfolding story.
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Featured image: Bati Bleki, Rona Coster
