News
50 Drug Bundles, Sale of Counterfeit Goods, and Illegal Housing
During a large-scale enforcement action on the evening of January 17, police, enforcers, and inspectors encountered various violations: from driving under the influence with 50 bundles of drugs in his underwear to the sale of counterfeit goods and residents in illegal housing.
In the early evening, various services started in the city center. With an integral enforcement action, police, municipality, and other organizations aim to contribute to safety and livability in The Hague. In the shopping area and the old city center, there are many shops, restaurants, and nightlife venues. Residents often experience nuisance from nightlife crowds and restaurants. To keep the city center safe and pleasant, the municipality also deploys hospitality stewards. During the joint hospitality control by the enforcement organization, police, NVWA, Stedin, fire brigade, customs, SZW, and the Environmental Protection Agency (ODH), more than 10 businesses were checked. Five businesses were found selling illegal alcohol and tobacco. In another business, counterfeit goods were sold, and 320 vapes were confiscated that can no longer be sold. In another business, a minor was found working alone. This is being further investigated by the police. During the hospitality control, it was discovered that a shop also had an illegal residence. The Hague Housing Brigade checked the residence, and the property was closed. The property was unsafe for the resident. The resident was taken to winter shelter.
Control by The Hague Housing Brigade
During the enforcement action, the Housing Brigade entered 21 residences. Four times illegal construction was found, three of which were used for prostitution. In four residences, residents were registered who do not live there, and in two residences, residents were not registered. In two residences, too high rent was paid. Since January 1, 2025, the Housing Brigade enforces rental prices in the social and middle segment. During the action, the brigade conducted spot checks in the action area. In one residence, tenants paid nearly 400 euros too much per month. With the Affordable Rent Act, the municipality can now enforce this, forcing landlords to adjust their rental prices if they are too high. Tenants can report excessive rent to the municipality via the unwanted rental behavior reporting point.
Central Traffic Control
A fixed part of the enforcement action is traffic control. This time the traffic control took place around the Great Church and the Church Square. The police checked a total of 110 drivers for alcohol, and everything was in order. One driver was arrested for having 50 bundles of drugs in his underwear and being under the influence of drugs. The driver already had a ban from the entire city center. A total of 40 fines were issued, including 9 for not showing a drivers license, 4 for driving without a license, 7 for lighting violations, and 2 for holding a phone while driving. The enforcement organization’s Mulder team issued 26 fines and 7 fines for violating the smoking, alcohol, and begging ban.
The team from Environmental and Transport Inspection (ILT) checks taxi drivers, among other things, on timekeeping. The team checked 15 taxis, and three times a report was made; two for not logging in and one for driving without a permit. The enforcement organization checked 30 taxis, issuing several warnings and one fine.
Paying Taxes
The municipalitys tax office scanned vehicles and identified a total debt of over €36,600. Eight vehicles were seized, four cars were immobilized, and two were towed, one of which had an outstanding debt of €12,000. One debt of €5,000 was paid directly. The national tax office checked vehicles for motor vehicle tax payments, of which 33 vehicles still had outstanding debts. In total, this amounted to €18,500, and €17,780 was collected. The enforcement organizations scanning team scanned 3,491 vehicles and issued 50 fines.
Crossing Tram Tunnel
Inspectors from HTM checked, among others, the Spui, Grote Markt, and Brouwersgracht stops. A total of 163 fines of €56 were issued for not being able to show a transport ticket. One passenger tried to evade his fine by crossing over in the tram tunnel. This is prohibited, and the person was fined for this.
Integral Enforcement Action in the Center
Efforts are being made to improve livability and safety in the city. Area-oriented enforcement actions are regularly carried out in various neighborhoods to address issues in the neighborhoods. This time, it was the turn of the center. Organizations and institutions are committed to a more beautiful and safer The Hague. The following agencies were present: Police Unit The Hague, The Hague Housing Brigade, Central Enforcement Team, Mulder Team, Scanning Team, Alcohol and Hospitality Team, HEIT, HTM, The Hague Fire Brigade (VRH), NVWA, Customs, Stedin, Environmental Protection Agency (ODH), Social Services (SZW), National Tax Office, municipal tax office, and Special Laws.
Do you see something suspicious in your area? Reporting helps!
Reporting issues contributes to improving livability and safety in your neighborhood. The municipality and police are receiving more reports of suspicious and nuisance situations. This is very good. This allows for more targeted action to be taken. So cooperate and report!
- Report suspicious situations to the police at phone number 112 (emergency) or 0900 - 8844. This can also be done anonymously via Report Crime Anonymously, phone number 0800 - 7000.
- Via a report public space for reporting pest problems, street lighting failures, bike wrecks, and things that are broken in public spaces.
- Via denhaag.nl/reports for reporting waste or benefit fraud.
- Report suspicions of misconduct with temporary work to Labor Inspection.
- For unwanted behavior from landlords, such as asking for excessive (service) costs, threats, or discrimination, a report can be made via report point for tenants.