Every day, thousands of trucks are loaded with fresh flowers. These are not only distributed daily throughout the Netherlands, but most also cross the border. This makes the ornamental horticulture sector an attractive branch for criminals to exploit. To prevent workers from being exploited or misused for activities such as drug smuggling, large-scale inspections are regularly conducted where various government agencies collaborate.

On Monday, March 10, and Tuesday, March 11, another Transport Facilitated Organized Crime (TFOC) inspection took place on the grounds of Royal FloraHolland. The police are checking there together with Customs and the Labor Inspectorate in cooperation with Royal FloraHolland itself and the municipalities of Aalsmeer and Uithoorn.

In total, 70 trucks and four companies were inspected over those two days. The Labor Inspectorate will conduct further investigations into the eight foreigners found at one of the companies. The information regarding the relationships between the transport sector and international organized crime strengthens our position in the fight against undermining crime.

Furthermore, several violations were identified, including driving without the required permit, driving on someone elses driver card, and professionally driving without the proper papers. A total of 22 fines were issued for serious violations, and one drivers license was confiscated.