Multiple Searches
Today, multiple residences and business premises were searched in the Netherlands, Germany, and Spain. During the searches, data carriers, vehicles, money, watches, and documentation were seized. A property in Nijmegen and various buildings housing tanning studios were seized. Additionally, various assets of some suspects were confiscated. In Germany, data carriers, passports, and documentation were seized. In Spain, properties and assets were seized by the Policia Nacional (UDYCO Central).
Crypto Communication Data
The investigation into these suspects has been ongoing for some time. In the investigation, detectives utilized information from multiple crypto services; these are shielded chat services where criminals communicate via encrypted phones.
Drug Industry and Serious Crime
Every year, billions of euros circulate in the criminal drug industry in the Netherlands. Many hard drugs are imported from Central and South America, and many synthetic drugs are produced in the Netherlands. This leads to undermining.
Undermining crime consists of many types of crime and related activities. Illegal income from drug activities is laundered in the legal economy. The effect is that the legitimate and criminal worlds become intertwined. This undermines and threatens our society and the rule of law. This undermining results in various serious crimes. Think of money laundering, tax evasion, corruption, threats, and violence. Criminals undermine the authority of government and law enforcement agencies and blur norms and values among legal entities. Due to the accessibility of drugs, the risk of addiction is high. This also deteriorates safety and livability in your neighborhood. Therefore, the police and the Public Prosecution Service are tackling the involved criminal networks rigorously.
Illustrative photo