Dutch prosecutors push for tough prison sentences in major illegal fireworks cases
Three cases involving the sale and storage of illegal, highly explosive fireworks have led to demands for substantial prison sentences. Residents and businesses faced severe risks as suspects stored thousands of kilos of banned fireworks in unsafe locations across the Netherlands.
| Case Location | Suspects (Age) | Fireworks Quantity | Storage Location | Demanded Prison Sentence (Months) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Hague | 22-year-old man | Hundreds of fireworks + tens of kilos | Residence and storage unit | 20 (6 suspended) |
| Zoetermeer | 37-year-old man (The Hague) | Over 4,000 kilos | Vans in a commercial building | 10 (3 suspended) |
| Zoetermeer | 36-year-old man (Gorinchem) | Over 4,000 kilos | Vans in a commercial building | Not specified (insufficient evidence) |
| Roelofarendsveen | 30-year-old (Leiden) + 27-year-old (Oegstgeest) | 500 kilos (heaviest category) | Warehouse on industrial estate | 22 (6 suspended) |
The Public Prosecution Service is responsible for prosecuting criminal offenses in the Netherlands, including the illegal possession and sale of fireworks. Their role is to ensure public safety by holding individuals accountable for endangering lives and property through reckless or illegal activities.
Openrijk has no cookies or ads
But could use some support
external link to whydonate.comRead the full translated article below
Prison sentences demanded for possession and sale of illegal fireworks
The Public Prosecution Service demanded substantial prison sentences today in three cases involving the sale and/or possession of illegal heavy fireworks. The suspects took enormous risks by storing the highly explosive material in sheds, warehouses, or the back of a van.
In the first case, a 22-year-old man from The Hague stood trial. The police traced him by checking online for the sale of illegal fireworks. They obtained permission to conduct a so-called undercover purchase and arrested the suspect on October 15, 2025, when he delivered the fireworks to them.
In the suspect’s residence, hundreds of fireworks were found, and in his storage unit, there were tens of kilos of illegal professional-grade fireworks. "You don’t want to imagine what would have happened if this had exploded," the prosecutor stated during the hearing. "It could have triggered a chain reaction, causing everything to go up in flames at once. The suspect took enormous risks for residents, passersby, and property."
The Public Prosecution Service also noted that the suspect was a repeat offender: he had been arrested months earlier and released pending trial. The prosecutor said: "But the suspect carried on undeterred. He thought he’d only get a community service order in the Netherlands." Instead, the Public Prosecution Service now demanded a 20-month prison sentence, six months of which would be suspended.
Vans
In Zoetermeer, police discovered in December over 4,000 kilos of professional-grade fireworks—banned for consumer use in the Netherlands. The suspects had attempted to sell these without realizing the police were on the other end of the line. The fireworks were stored in vans parked in a commercial building, whereas such fireworks may only be stored professionally in bunkers.
A 37-year-old man from The Hague faced a demand for a 10-month prison sentence, three months of which would be suspended. He was the owner of the warehouse and the person who had negotiated the "sale" with the police. A 36-year-old man from Gorinchem accompanied him when the fireworks were delivered; the Public Prosecution Service could not prove he was aware of the vast quantity stored in the warehouse.
Blown to smithereens
In Roelofarendsveen, a large quantity of professional-grade fireworks was also found in December 2025: 500 kilos, most of it in the heaviest category. The haul included shells (mortar bombs) and a homemade firework. All of it was stored in a warehouse on an industrial estate. "No fire-resistant measures or other safety precautions," the prosecutor noted. "Extremely dangerous. And the suspects even drove around with 240 kilos of fireworks in their car. If they had been in an accident, the whole lot would have gone up in smoke."
The Public Prosecution Service demanded a 22-month prison sentence, six months suspended, for the 30-year-old suspect from Leiden and the 27-year-old suspect from Oegstgeest.
The court will deliver its verdict in all cases within two weeks.