Maashorst cracks down on organized crime with 99 reports leading to property closures and fines
Residents and businesses in Maashorst played a key role in tackling organized crime in 2025, with 99 reports leading to property closures, fines, and investigations. The municipality urges continued vigilance to keep communities safe from criminal influence.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Reports of suspected undermining | 99 (from residents and municipal colleagues) |
| Properties closed under Opium Act | 6 |
| Fines imposed on drug dealers | Multiple (due to police cooperation) |
| BIBOB investigations conducted | 18 (to prevent permit abuse) |
| Municipal partners in IML | Land van Cuijk, Boekel |
| Inspections by Intervention Team | Increased focus on rural areas and transport/logistics sectors |
| Violations identified | Fraud, environmental issues, drug-related activities, illegal construction |
The municipality of Maashorst, in collaboration with law enforcement and regional partners, is responsible for maintaining public order and safety. Its efforts focus on preventing organized crime from infiltrating local communities through targeted interventions and public engagement.
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Maashorst takes strong action against undermining in 2025
Mayor Van der Pas looks back on a year in which the municipality of Maashorst, together with the police and numerous partners, once again took important steps in the fight against undermining crime. According to the mayor, the results show that crime is increasingly struggling to gain a foothold in our living environment. “But constant vigilance and cooperation with residents and entrepreneurs is essential!”, Van der Pas said.
The municipality evaluated its approach to undermining and translated it into two clear infographics. One on the approach in the municipality of Maashorst (PDF, 97.8 kB) and one on the results of the joint approach (PDF, 474.0 kB) with the municipality of Land van Cuijk (and, more recently, Boekel) via the Maas & Leijgraaf Intervention Team.
In the municipality of Maashorst, 99 reports of suspected undermining were received in 2025, both from residents (including via Crime Stoppers) and from municipal colleagues. These reports formed the basis for many of the actions subsequently taken by the municipality. Among other things, we closed 6 properties under the Opium Act, imposed multiple fines on drug dealers (thanks in part to intensive cooperation with the police), and conducted 18 BIBOB investigations to prevent abuse of permits and facilities. “These figures show that reports really make a difference,” says Mayor Van der Pas. “Every report, no matter how small, can lead to a breakthrough.”
Intervention Team increasingly effective
In addition to the municipality’s and police’s regular approach, the joint Maas & Leijgraaf Intervention Team (IML) once again played an important role. In 2025, this team, in which Maashorst collaborates with Land van Cuijk (and, more recently, Boekel), visited significantly more locations than in previous years — both preventively and repressively. Extra attention was paid to rural areas, which are vulnerable to crime. During inspections, various violations were identified: from fraud to environmental issues, from drug-related activities to illegal construction. Several joint action days also took place, such as in rural areas and the transport & logistics sector. “The intervention team is growing stronger, and you can see that in the results,” the mayor said. “This way, we prevent criminals from gaining a foothold.”
Reporting remains crucial
The mayor emphasises that undermining is not always visible, but it is certainly felt when criminals infiltrate the ‘upper world’. Think of unwanted pressure on entrepreneurs, unfair competition, threats or intimidation, abuse of properties for drug trafficking and fraud, and illegal activities in residential or rural areas. Van der Pas: “We cannot do this alone. Our residents and entrepreneurs are our eyes and ears. It is important that people continue to report suspicious activity. If you’re unsure about something? Report it — better one time too many than too few.” The mayor calls on residents, entrepreneurs and organisations to remain vigilant. “Do you see something that doesn’t seem right? Report it via the municipality, the police or Crime Stoppers. We also encourage entrepreneurs to make greater use of information and support to make their businesses more resilient against criminal influence. Crime must never pay. That remains our commitment. But that commitment only works if we do it together. That’s why I urge everyone to stay alert and help us keep Maashorst safe and resilient.”