Officers checked the car on Backer and Ruebweg in Prinsenbeek. Upon approaching, a strong smell of cannabis came from the window. The officers also saw an empty grip bag lying on the passenger seat. The driver, a 23-year-old Frenchman, handed the officers a bag with a small amount of hashish when asked.
Under the influence of cannabis
The man then had to undergo a saliva test, which indicated that he was under the influence of cannabis. Since driving under the influence is illegal, the man was taken to the station where a nurse took a blood sample from him.
Because a saliva test only indicates that someone is under the influence, but never tells how much a person has used, a blood test must always be done with a positive saliva test.
Car searched, 12 kilos of drugs found
Before the man went to the station, officers searched his car. This is allowed because the man had drugs in his possession. The Frenchman had not made much effort to hide the drugs he wanted to take across the border. Behind the front seats, officers found four bags of (presumably) ecstasy pills in a shopping bag. In total, 7 kilos. The officers also found about 5 kilos of blocks of (presumably) heroin. All drugs have been seized and will be tested later by an investigator who is authorized to test drugs.
The suspects car has been towed and seized for further police investigation. The suspect himself has been detained in a police cell. He will be questioned by detectives at a later time.