The Public Prosecution Service North Holland (OM) has asked the Alkmaar court to extend the pre-trial detention of a 25-year-old man from Alkmaar. He is suspected of sexually exploiting vulnerable young women by forcing them into prostitution and taking a significant portion of their earnings. Among the complainants are two underage women.
Investigation Initiation
The investigation began in September 2023 after two reports regarding forced prostitution and sexual exploitation of young Dutch women. Additionally, in early December 2023, police received information about an 18-year-old woman missing since October, who had been taken on vacation by a friend and was expected to return with money. Her mother had not heard from her since then. It later emerged that she was arrested in Belgium for drug trafficking and was linked to a 23-year-old co-suspect in Alkmaar.
Initial Findings
Several women emerged during the investigation who were brought into prostitution. Many were vulnerable, lacking stable housing, having debts, fleeing violent home situations, and possessing limited social support.
The suspicions against the 25-year-old man and his co-suspects are supported by various investigative data, including messages, bank statements, hotel bookings, flight information, witness testimonies, and other signals of criminal exploitation and forced prostitution. Both underage and adult vulnerable women were involved. Underage women receive special protection due to their age, making it illegal to involve them in prostitution, even if they consent voluntarily.
Other Suspects
The OM suspects a 23-year-old man from Alkmaar and a 40-year-old man from Heerhugowaard of being complicit in similar offenses. Their preliminary hearing took place on January 13. Furthermore, the OM has identified four additional suspects involved in exploitation, who are no longer in custody. This includes a 23-year-old woman from Amsterdam, a 22-year-old woman from Uitgeest, a 25-year-old man from Alkmaar, and a 17-year-old girl from Alkmaar. It is currently unclear how and whether the OM will prosecute them, as further investigation is needed to clarify their roles in this case.
Human Trafficking Police Team
A special human trafficking team operates within the police, consisting of trained investigators specialized in human trafficking cases. Reports of misconduct in this area can be submitted to them.
Human trafficking is a serious crime with various manifestations, fundamentally concerning making money at the expense of others.
If you are a victim of human trafficking or know someone who is, please contact the Migration Crime and Human Trafficking Team of the Police Unit North Holland at 0900-8844 or report it at www.politie.nl