22 members of brass band arrested at Amsterdam Schiphol airport after drugs check

DutchAmsterdam.nl — Dutch Military Police (Koninklijke Marechaussee) at Amsterdam Schiphol airport have arrested all 22 members of a Suriname brass band on suspicion of attempting to smuggle drugs into the Netherlands.

The popular band, Naks Kaseko Loco, was scheduled to perform concerts throughout the country over the next few weeks.

The band members were arrested during a 100 percent check, in which every person arriving on flights from certain locations are subjected to a full-body check for contraband.

Since 2003, many flights arriving from Suriname, the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba have been subject to the 100 percent check — in which the crew, the airplane and all luggage is also searched.

The checks are performed by Dutch border police (douane). Passengers suspected of possession of drugs are handed over the the Military Police.

Last years members of three bands from Suriname were arrested at Schiphol for carrying drugs, but never as many in one time as today.

Suriname officials have complained about the 100 percent checks for years, stating that they consider the checks to be disrespectful.

Schiphol border police reportedly pick up an average of 20 drugs couriers a week at Schiphol.

The Military Police reportedly is checking how many people of the band are actually were involved in the alleged smuggling operation.