4.20.2006

Holloway-detainee also suspected of drug dealing
Amigoe
4/19/2006

ARUBA – On Tuesday afternoon, the Public Prosecutor (OM) confirmed that Geoffrey van Cromvoirt was arrested last Saturday in the current investigation on the disappearance of Natalee Holloway. The only statement made by the OM in a press report is that Van Cromvoirt “is suspected of facts that can be related to the disappearance of Natalee Holloway and drug dealing”.

The local as well as the international media were at the court-house waiting for Van Cromvoirt to be brought before the examining magistrate. Nobody knew at what exact time this would be and the OM had not said anything other than ‘he will be brought before the examining magistrate today’. This was enough reason for the international media to wait. FBI-profiler Clint Vanzandt called the arrest of crucial importance and said that he anticipates that this arrest would lead to a new clue in the Holloway-case.

An examining-magistrate from Curacao has extended the detention of Van Cromvoirt with 8 days. This was done in the presence of Van Cromvoirt’s lawyer Eline Lotter-Homan.

Arthur Dowers (AVP) made it clear that Aruba is not really waiting for a new round of negative information around the Holloway-case. “This case has a big effect on the tourism. New developments should be made public. We have to be transparent and open.” Joran van der Sloot’s father, Paul van der Sloot told the Associated Press that his son doesn’t know Van Cromvoirt. The Kalpoe’s lawyer Ronnie Wix indicated that he is not sure whether his clients know Van Cromvoirt. This is the first time that Van Cromvoirt has come in contact with justice.