Prison sentences demanded in investigation into Eindhoven drug gang

News report | 16-01-2026 | 16:27

At the beginning of 2024, the police gained insight into the group when suspicious messages were found on a seized phone. The chats on that phone included discussions about blocks of cocaine and the transfer of large sums of money. Following this, investigation 26Torcy was initiated under the leadership of the National Office.

Network

The extensive investigation quickly revealed a network almost full-time engaged in drug and money trafficking. During the investigation, the police identified several men from the Gestel district of Eindhoven for further investigation. The group consists of nine men aged between 22 and 45. One suspects involvement in drug trafficking was confirmed when he was seen at a drug lab in Waalre. In 2024, the man was arrested in the port of Rotterdam, where he was found with others near a broken-open container. He was convicted by the police court in September 2025.

Day of action

The investigation continued and led to a large-scale police operation in Eindhoven and Veldhoven in March 2025, during which several suspects were arrested and homes searched. Seized phones showed that blocks of cocaine were still being imported shortly before the arrests. Additionally, one suspect had crypto wallets with significant amounts of money, while there was little evidence of legal income. During the day of action, 27,000 euros in cash was seized.

 

Money and drug transports

The scale of the case became increasingly clear during the investigation. Thanks to decrypted crypto messages, the police gained a clear picture of the group and uncovered concrete money and drug transports throughout the Netherlands. Between August and September 2023 and March 2025, the group moved at least 169 blocks of cocaine, often using taxi drivers. The trips were carefully recorded. To avoid suspicion during checks, someone usually accompanied the driver posing as a customer.

Collecting money

The intercepted communications detailed multiple drug transports. This also applied to the transfer of large sums of money, often using taxi drivers who traveled across the country. Amounts often exceeded 100,000 euros per transport. Special chat groups were created with names like Collecting money, Eindhoven paper, and paper Rotterdam. For the transport of 408,000 euros, the app group drop 408k was created.

Long-term and organized

Although the decrypted messages provided a clear insight into the groups methods and much evidence, they only shed light on a small part of the facts. Their way of collaborating and communicating suggests large-scale, long-term, and organized drug trafficking and money laundering. The money transports alone show enormous amounts of money earned. The money was partly spent on renting a luxury apartment on the Costa del Sol. Notably, a rose gold Rolex valued at 32,000 euros was seized from one suspect.

Procedural agreements

Procedural agreements were made with four suspects in this investigation. This means the Public Prosecution Service demands a lower sentence and the defense presents fewer arguments. This speeds up the procedure, allowing more cases to be brought before the court. These suspects (aged 32, 30, 23, and 22) face prison sentences between 6 and 40 months, partly conditional. One of these suspects also faces a community service order of 240 hours.

Main suspects and taxi drivers

Most suspects did not make procedural agreements, partly due to their role in the case. Two suspects (36 and 26 years old) were absent because they are believed to have fled abroad. They are internationally wanted and their cases will be handled later. A 45-year-old man, mainly active as a taxi driver, faces a 30-month prison sentence. Another driver admitted his role and faces two weeks in prison and 420 hours of community service if the Public Prosecution Service has its way. The trial against the last three suspects, two of whom are currently fugitives, will be handled later.

The court will give its verdict in two weeks.