Aiming to combat money laundering, fraud, and tax evasion, various government services have investigated residents of the municipalities of Maasdriel and Meijerijstad. On January 17, ten suspects will appear before the court for the first time.
In the autumn of 2021, police and tax authorities conducted raids, arresting seven suspects and seizing extensive documentation. Hundreds of kilograms of silver bars were found buried in a garden, along with weapons.
A total of 30 arrests have been made during the investigation, though not all individuals will be prosecuted further. The cases against those acting as straw men or playing minor roles have been dropped. The Public Prosecution Service is proceeding against 16 suspects; six have accepted alternative resolutions such as community service or settlements.
Criminal Organization
On January 17, ten suspects will face the court. According to the Public Prosecution Service, six individuals form a criminal organization aimed at money laundering, forgery, and tax evasion. The core of this organization includes two suspects from Maasdriel, along with a man from Meijerijstad, seen as the actual leaders of several companies involved. They received administrative support from a woman from Maasdriel. Two men, from Gilze Rijen and Maasdriel, managed the bookkeeping for the companies. The remaining four suspects, including a company, are suspected of various forms of forgery.
Fraud
The investigation has revealed various fraudulent activities. The companies the suspects worked for were primarily active in ground-working services, such as installing fiber-optic cables. Safety certifications needed for such work were likely forged. Additionally, it is suspected that false invoices were issued without any real compensation, reducing profits and thereby evading taxes. There are also indications that personal property renovations and supplies to suspects were paid for by their businesses alongside fictitious damages claimed for company vehicles.
Tax Evasion
The investigation indicates that these companies exploited migrant workers, who were incorrectly classified as self-employed and worked more hours than reported on payrolls. This led to tax evasion. In tackling organized crime, collaboration with the tax authorities was emphasized, who are also taking action against the suspects. Furthermore, the municipality of Maasdriel evaluated the housing conditions for migrant workers.
Research Wishes
The hearing on January 17 is a preliminary hearing to discuss the desires of the defense for further investigation and the subsequent legal proceedings.