The Public Prosecution Service is bringing eight individuals to court this week; they are suspected of participating in a criminal organization. For years, large-scale cultivation and trafficking of cannabis took place. Today, the Public Prosecution Service demanded prison sentences of up to three years for the first three suspects. Additionally, these three are to repay a total of nearly 600,000 euros in unlawfully obtained benefits.
The suspects have lived a luxurious life with the profits made, claims the Public Prosecution Service. Furthermore, as the prosecutor explained today, their actions in Enschede resulted in feelings of tension, insecurity, and intimidation: “This was particularly visible in Burgemeester Jacobsstraat. The suspects, with cannabis farms, not only posed risks regarding fire hazards and danger to residents and neighbors for the homes and buildings but also made it clear to neighbors, locals, and people from the street who was in charge there, namely the members of this criminal organization.”
In May 2022, police raided several homes on the street in question. Searches took place at a total of 12 homes in Enschede and one in Delden. In addition to cannabis farms, firearms, cash, and a cannabis propagation and drying facility were found. The Public Prosecution Service stated in court in Almelo: “The fact that the lives of the suspects are literally intertwined is evident from the fact that the backyards of four homes in Burgemeester Jacobsstraat form one large area for the residents. They formed a close social collective.”
A significant part of the evidence comes from encrypted messaging, better known as Encrochat. Among other things, setting up and maintaining cannabis farms in Delden, Almelo, and (multiple in) Enschede was discussed via Encrochat. According to the Public Prosecution Service, the hacked communication also shows the close and conscious collaboration and the mutual role distribution of the suspects. The period for the alleged offenses is stated as from October 1, 2020, to the crackdown day of May 9, 2022.
According to the Public Prosecution Service, a telling photo of a son of one of the suspects included in the dossier is significant. At three years old, he stands in the middle of a cannabis farm and raises his middle finger to the camera. “The suspects apparently find this very cool, they laugh about it, as shown in the chats about this photo. But anyone who thinks longer about it cannot help but conclude that this is deeply sad,” said the prosecutor. “This image says everything about what is considered normal within the family. A criminal culture is being passed on to the next generation. A way of life where committing criminal offenses is the only learned way to earn money.”
For his leadership and directing role, the Public Prosecution Service demands a prison sentence of 3 years against a 35-year-old suspect from Enschede. He issued instructions on how the farms should be informed and where and when staff should be deployed and goods should be delivered or picked up. Additionally, the Public Prosecution Service is seeking the confiscation of 339,827 euros.
For the other two suspects, the Public Prosecution Service mainly sees them as executors who were helpful in the cannabis farms. Although the sentences are lower, the Public Prosecution Service holds it against them that they consciously participated in the criminal organization for a longer period. Against a 30-year-old suspect from Enschede, the Public Prosecution Service demands a prison sentence of 1.5 years and a confiscation of 169,913 euros. For a 23-year-old suspect – also from Enschede – the demand is also 18 months in prison, serving a previous sentence of 6 months in prison, and additionally a confiscation of 84,956 euros. Because the offenses were committed longer ago, the sentences take into account the exceeding of the reasonable time limit.
The hearings regarding the other 5 suspects are scheduled for Thursday, June 5, and Friday, June 6. Throughout the course of the criminal case and ongoing investigation, all suspects have been released from pre-trial detention. The Public Prosecution Service believes that crime should not pay, which is why seizures have been made on, among other things, homes, cars, luxury goods (clothing), and a speedboat.