On March 26 and 27, various integrated checks were carried out in the Eindhoven region. Businesses were visited, and dozens of garage boxes and many vehicles were checked. These controls and visits took place to tackle undermining practices and simultaneously raise awareness and resilience, broaden our network, and gather information. This is how we combat and disrupt undermining crime. Various specialists from the police participated in the action, such as the undermining and drug transport intervention team (IOD) that focuses on countering and disrupting drug-related undermining crime.

Arrests, discovery of a fake clothing store, trade quantities of drugs found, and cars confiscated

During a traffic control, two individuals were arrested whom we suspect of drug trafficking. Both had trade quantities of drugs in their possession. One person had hidden the drugs in a specially prepared concealed compartment in his car. One driver was caught for the 18th time driving without a license. His car has been confiscated. Another car was seized that may have been purchased with criminal money. It became clear that storage boxes are not only used for storing goods when fake branded clothing was discovered during a check of several boxes. The box was set up as a clothing store with a considerable stock of fake branded clothing. In another box, items were found for a hemp plantation. That discovery provided sufficient grounds for a search of a residence where an operational hemp plantation was found.

Undermining; a risk to society

Undermining is a significant societal problem. The profits for criminals are enormous. This form of crime causes serious undermining of our society. The big money also creates enormous attraction, both for criminal networks and for young people who are drawn into crime. A lot of money also means that the stakes for criminals become ever higher.

Criminals often use legal services for illegal activities. For example, by using shops, cafes, homes, or trucks for money laundering, drug trafficking, illegal prostitution, cannabis plantations, or storing weapons. This is called undermining. Undermining leads to more crime and less safety in society.

There are countless practical examples: The neighbor who grows cannabis in his attic or a car rental company that knowingly rents cars to criminals. Undermining crime affects us all. By making the invisible visible together, we can join forces with our partners to stand against undermining crime. We also need the people in the neighborhoods for this. Their eyes and ears are of great importance for tackling this issue.

Keep crime out of your neighborhood

Do you ever see something strange in your neighborhood or at work? For example, a house that has been empty for months but has lights on at night. Or a garage box where people come at night. You might find these situations strange. But did you know that these could be signals of criminal activities?

On this website you can discover what suspicious signals are and what you can do if you see them and are concerned.

A tip is often the beginning of a beautiful result in tackling undermining. Do you see signs of undermining? You can tip off the police via www.politie.nl or by calling 0900-8844. You can report anonymously via Meld Misdaad Anoniem at www.meldmisdaadanoniem.nl or by calling 0800-7000 for free. This is an independent reporting point where you can provide information completely anonymously.