During a large-scale inspection of garage and basement boxes in neighborhoods in Utrecht North and South, large quantities of drugs and two stolen scooters were found. Both boxes were immediately closed by order of the mayor. Following this inspection, the police made two arrests. The municipality regularly organizes such actions with partners as part of the approach against undermining crime in our city of Utrecht.
The operation on Wednesday, December 10, was a planned administrative action to check whether garage and basement boxes are used for their intended purpose. The municipality carries out such actions as part of the joint Utrecht approach against undermining criminality. With this approach, the municipality, police, the Public Prosecution Service, and other partners act as one government from their own roles and responsibilities. This makes it more difficult for criminals to carry out their criminal activities in the neighborhoods.
Risk for residents in the neighborhoods
Due to misuse of garage and basement boxes for criminal activities, there are significant risks for residents in our neighborhoods. Previous inspections showed that these boxes are sometimes used to store weapons, fireworks, explosives, jerrycans of gasoline, and materials for making drugs. If something goes wrong, such as materials exploding, this creates dangerous situations for residents and buildings. Specially trained dogs accompanied the action day to sniff specific odors that do not belong in private storage locations. This way, it can be checked whether the box is used correctly or if there is possible misuse. During the action on Wednesday, December 10, the dogs detected specific odors twice. Both boxes were opened and inspected. One box contained stored hemp, and the other contained large quantities of soft and hard drugs. The mayor immediately closed these boxes to remove them from the drug trade circuit. Two persons related to the boxes with drugs were also arrested. The police have started a criminal investigation in this case.
The goal of the joint broad approach against organized drug crime is to disrupt criminal profit models and break criminal careers. The municipality does this with multiple partners such as the police, the Public Prosecution Service, the Tax Authorities, FIOD, the RIEC, and the Care and Safety House. The large-scale inspection on December 10 was part of this approach.
Reporting makes sense
Undermining crime can pose risks to you and your environment. Do you have signals or suspicions of crime? Report it. Keep crime out of your neighborhood. Call the police at 0900-8844 or 112 in emergencies. You can also report to the local police officer. Or anonymously via Report Crime Anonymously at 0800-7000 or meldenmisdaadanoniem.nl. Or call the municipality at phone number 14 030.
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