Pedro Jose Salas Ribas

Migrant 1​

Pedro is a down-to-earth, hard-working man who wants the best for his family. The desperate situation in Venezuela makes that very difficult. Without a job and a sick 8 year old daughter there is no perspective on improvement for the life of his family. That is why he and his wife Camila decide to take the very scary and dangerous decision of going to Aruba by boat. In search of means to generate money to take care of his mom and child.

Illegal acts

As a person who is being smuggled, Pedro is not punishable for this act through the Aruba Penal Code. But he is punishable through administrative law, since he entered Aruba illegally (article 23, paragraph 1 LTU).

Consequences
  • Pedro can be detained (article 16 paragraph 1 LTU) and can also be deported back to Venezuela (article 15 paragraph 1 under c LTU).
  • Additionally entry to Aruba can be denied for a period of maximum 8 years (article 15 paragraph 2 LTU).
Camila

Migrant 2

Struggling to survive in a hopeless situation in Venezuela Camila is getting desperate. Her husband Pedro trying to find a way to get to Aruba by boat, he was told there were great opportunities to work in construction. Camila decides to come along as they were informed that she certainly can get a job as a housekeeper. After thinking it over several times Camila and her husband decide to take the risk to get their family out of this miserable situation. Pedro and Camila travel to Aruba by boat.

Illegal acts

As a person who is being smuggled, Camila is not punishable for this act through the Aruba Penal Code. But she is punishable through administrative law, since he entered Aruba illegally (article 23, paragraph 1 LTU).

Consequences
  • Camilla can be detained (article 16 paragraph 1 LTU) and can also be deported back to Venezuela (article 15 paragraph 1 under c LTU). Additionally entry to Aruba can be denied for a period of maximum 8 years (article 15 paragraph 2 LTU)
  • As a possible victim of human trafficking, Camila can apply for a relief of detention (article 16 paragraph 2 LTU), a stay of deportation and assistance for the period of the criminal investigation.
Joel Matos

Exploiter

Joel Matos is the ultimate bad guy. His side hustle has become his main income. His goal is to make as much money as he can with smuggling and trafficking. Joel is born in Venezuela and grew up in Aruba. He was raised by his father because his mother died when he was 3 years old. His dad was a trucker with an alcohol problem, which resulted in a very unstable childhood. In his teen years, Joel gets involved with small crimes and quickly realizes how easy it is to make money.  Joel is the main leader of the gang handling the exploitation chain and sees his companion Shana as a “Mother figure”.

Illegal acts
As the main leader of the gang, committing the illegal acts of organized human smuggling and trafficking, Joel is punishable for the acts of migrant smuggling (article 2:154 APC) human trafficking (article 2:239 APC).
Consequences
  • Joel can be detained, investigated, prosecuted and convicted for the act of
  • Migrant smuggling (article 2:154 paragraph 1 APC – maximum 4 years in prison or a fine of Afl. 25.000,=)
  • Migrant smuggling committed in association with two or more people (article 2:154 paragraph 3 APC – maximum 8 years in prison or a maximum fine of Afl. 100.000,-).
  • Human trafficking (article 2:239 paragraph 1 APC – maximum 8 years in prison or a maximum fine of Afl. 100.000,-)
  • Human trafficking committed by two or more people (article 2:239 paragraph 3 APC – maximum 12 years in prison or fine of Afl. 100.000,-)
  • All benefits, proceeds and profits as a result of these criminal acts can be confiscated.
smiley
Rodney "Smiley" Croes

Driver

Smiley is the smaller nephew of Shana. He’s a a simple and very relaxed soul. Loyal to his family and will make sure to do anything to stay loyal. He is a gentle giant that has learned the rules of the streets. He grew up seeing a strong woman(Shana) hustling her way to get on top. He has inherited the ways of a long line of family members who have been in the game for a long time.

Illegal acts

As the driver of the gang, transporting the illegal migrants, Rodney is punishable for the criminal act of migrant smuggling (article 2:154 APC).

Consequences
  • Rodney can be detained, investigated, prosecuted and convicted for the act of
  • Migrant smuggling (article 2:154 paragraph 1 APC – maximum 4 years in prison or a fine of Afl. 25.000,=)
  • Migrant smuggling committed in association with two or more people (article 2:154 paragraph 3 APC – maximum 8 years in prison or a maximum fine of Afl. 100.000,-).
  • All benefits, proceeds and profits as a result of these criminal acts can be confiscated.
Juancho Kock

Boat captain

Juancho Kock, 55, is a tipical Aruban fisherman. He has 2 kids, a wife and he lives in small house with his mother and family. The pandemic caused a huge fall in income as the tourists stay home and restaurants are empty. To make some extra money he uses his boat to sneak in migrants from Venezuela. The money is good and it is worth the risk.

Illegal acts

As the captain of the boat that is used to smuggle migrants from Venezuela to Aruba, Juancho is punishable for the act of migrant smuggling (article 2:154 APC).

Consequences
  • Juancho can be detained, investigated, prosecuted and convicted for the act of
  • Migrant smuggling (article 2:154 paragraph 1 APC – maximum 4 years in prison or a maximum fine of Afl. 25.000,=)
  • Migrant smuggling committed in association with two or more people (article 2:154 paragraph 3 APC – maximum 8 years in prison or a maximum fine of Afl. 100.000,-)
  • All benefits, proceeds and profits as a result of these criminal acts can be confiscated.
Shana v/d Eer

Home owner

Shana van de Eer, 48, Aruban. Shana has been through a lot but managed to come out on top. Because of this, she has built a wall around. She makes a very decent living however the big money comes from illegal activities. She is part of a criminal network that smuggles, harbours and exploits illegal migrants.

Illegal acts

As an important member of the gang, involved in smuggling, housing and exploiting illegal migrants, Shana is punishable for the acts of migrant smuggling (article 2:154 APC) human trafficking (article 2:239 APC).

Consequences
  • Shana can be detained, investigated, prosecuted and convicted for the act of
  • Migrant smuggling (article 2:154 paragraph 1 APC – maximum 4 years in prison or a fine of Afl. 25.000,=)
  • Migrant smuggling committed in association with two or more people (article 2:154 paragraph 3 APC – maximum 8 years in prison or a maximum fine of Afl. 100.000,-).
  • Human trafficking (article 2:239 paragraph 1 APC – maximum 8 years in prison or a maximum fine of Afl. 100.000,-)
  • Human trafficking committed by two or more people (article 2:239 paragraph 3 APC – maximum 12 years in prison or a fine of maximum Afl. 100.000,-)
  • All benefits, proceeds and profits as a result of these criminal acts can be confiscated.
Patrick Tromp

Sub contractor

Patrick Tromp, 35, Aruban. Studied at the MTS Ceasar Terzano and started working in construction with his uncle right after that. He started at the bottom but through hard work and dedication he managed to work his way up with a little help of his uncle. The medium size company of his uncle mainly provides workers for bigger projects, managed by the major construction companies. Over the year’s Patrick has mastered the skills of avoiding the labor laws which results in bigger profits as the illegal workers get a minimum pay while the company charges the maximum.

Illegal acts

Abusing his illegal workers for years by paying as little as possible while making huge profits, Patrick is punishable for the act of employment of illegal migrants (article 2:155 APC).

By employing a person without a valid permit or paying an illegal migrant for work, Patrick is punishable through administrative law (article 23 LTU).

Consequences
  • Patrick can be detained, investigated, prosecuted and convicted for the act of
  • Employing an illegal migrant (article 2:155 paragraph 1 APC – maximum 1 year in prison or a maximum fine of afl. 10.000,-)
  • Habitually employing an illegal migrant (article 2:155 paragraph 2 APC – maximum 3 year in prison or a maximum fine of afl. 25.000,-)
  • All benefits, proceeds and profits as a result of these criminal acts can be confiscated
  • Patrick can individually be fined for employing a person without a valid permit or paying an illegal migrant for work (article 28 paragraph 1 – a maximum fine of afl. 10.000,-) or as a company (article 28 paragraph 2 – a maximum fine of afl. 25.000,-).
Mr. Werleman

Main contractor

Mr. Werleman works for a big construction company. He is a man of principles and lives by the norms and values taught by his parents. He controls various projects and his responsibility is to oversee that the projects are executed efficiently which means, on-time and within budget. As he manages a few projects at the same time he depends on sub-contractors to execute the work.

Illegal acts

Making huge profits of the labor of illegal migrants by depending on the services of sub-contractors who abuse their workers, Werleman is punishable for the act of employment of illegal migrants (article 2:155 APC).

Consequences
  • Werleman can be detained, investigated, prosecuted and convicted for the act of
  • Employing an illegal migrant (article 2:155 paragraph 1 – maximum 1 year in prison or a maximum fine of afl. 10.000,-)
  • Habitually employing an illegal migrant (article 2:155 paragraph 2 – maximum 3 year in prison or a maximum fine of afl. 25.000,-)
  • All benefits, proceeds and profits as a result of these criminal acts can be confiscated.
Magaly - La Patrona

Patrona

Magaly (58), La Patrona. Magaly is a rich self made woman. Married for the 3rd time to a younger Aruban man. She is set for life & living her best life. She is born in Venezuela with Spanish parents. Barely 20 years old she ends up working for a rich Venezuelan family who treats her badly. When this Venezuelan family decides to move to Aruba she comes along and works her way up. By 40’s she’s been married 2 times and manages a European fashion inspired boutique in Renaissance Mall.

Illegal acts

Employing an illegal migrant in her house, while keeping her in a position of dependency and exploitation, Magaly is punishable for the act of employment of illegal migrants (article 2:155 APC), human trafficking (article 2:239 APC) or using the services of a victim of human trafficking (article 2:240 APC).

By employing a person without a valid permit or paying an illegal migrant for work, Magaly is punishable through administrative law (article 23 LTU).

Consequences
  • Magaly can be detained, investigated, prosecuted and convicted for the act of
  • Employing an illegal migrant (article 2:155 paragraph 1 APC – maximum 1 year in prison or a maximum fine of afl. 10.000,-)
  • Human trafficking (article 2:239 paragraph 1 APC – maximum 8 years in prison or a maximum fine of Afl. 100.000,-)
  • Using the services of a victim of human trafficking (article 2:240 APC – maximum 4 years in prison or a maximum fine of afl. 25.000,-)
  • All benefits, proceeds and profits as a result of these criminal acts can be confiscated.
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