Residents of Beukenlaan in Alphen aan den Rijn narrowly escaped a massive explosion last year. A bag containing half a kilo of flash powder was placed at the door, but no explosion occurred. A 22-year-old Amsterdammer is suspected of orchestrating the operation and appeared in court today.
In those weeks, there were more violent incidents following the theft of a stolen batch of 1400 kilos of cocaine. Part of it was stored in the warehouse of an entrepreneur from Alphen, but it was stolen again there. The entrepreneur and his staff were held responsible. On October 10, two boys aged 16 and 17 tried to cause an explosion at the front door of one of the employees.
When that failed for unknown reasons, the boys fled again with the explosive on their backs. Because they stood out with their balaclavas, neighbors called the police and the suspects were arrested. In July, they were sentenced by the juvenile court to partly conditional youth detention. Two brokers, intermediaries, were also arrested. One of them was sentenced to 270 days in prison, of which 70 days conditional; the other case is still under appeal.
Life-threatening
On the suspects phones, the police saw conversations via Snapchat with an account that could be linked to the 22-year-old Amsterdammer. According to the Public Prosecution Service, he gave the brokers instructions in advance on what needed to be done: complete the job, film the job, and send it. Later, he also appears in a chat with the perpetrators themselves, directly increasing the pressure: Put that damn thing and dont complain!
The Public Prosecution Service reproaches the suspect for having two minors place an explosive at a residence. This is dangerous for the residents and neighbors, but also for the boys the suspect sent out. An expert from the NFI states that it could also have exploded in the backpack, then they would not have survived.
The Public Prosecution Service demands 18 months in prison. The court will give its verdict in two weeks.
