The action day started early Tuesday morning with a raid at ten different locations in the Netherlands. This involves six homes in Geldermalsen, two homes in Deil, and one home in Meteren and Gorinchem. Specialist teams from the police were present for the arrests and searches. During the searches, luxury goods, drugs, cash, cryptocurrency tokens, several cars, and safes containing weapons were seized. Additionally, digital data carriers, including phones and computers, were confiscated for further investigation.

Two Arrests

The two arrested suspects are 21 and 22-year-old men from Geldermalsen. They are suspected of forming a criminal organization, international drug trafficking, and money laundering. The organization imported large quantities of hard drugs and synthetic drugs from around the world to sell to users in a large part of Gelderland and other provinces. The organization also traded a lot of Miauw Miauw and other synthetic drugs popular among young users.

In the same investigation, the police also arrested two suspects last year, including a 34-year-old man who mainly stayed in Dubai. Even after today, the investigation into the criminal organization will continue, meaning more arrests cannot be ruled out.

Encrypted Messages

The police tracked down the criminal organization thanks to messages sent via the encrypted communication service Sky. These messages were intercepted by law enforcement agencies in 2020-2021.

Consequences and Dangers of Drug Trafficking

This criminal organization is an example of undermining organized crime in the Netherlands. Criminal organizations often have a strong hierarchy and a clear division of tasks. Drug trafficking deteriorates the living environment and is accompanied by violence and extortion. The police also see that criminals lure vulnerable young people to participate. They often start with small, executing tasks and then move up to more leadership positions. Young people are attracted to the quick money and status associated with this world.

Jarl Ampting from the Basic Team De Waarden on the approach to young recruitment in drug crime: We want to prevent young people from being drawn into this world of serious crime. Young people are unaware of the dangers, both for themselves and for their environment. Moreover, it is difficult to leave this world of power and violence once you are in. You come into contact with police and justice and end up in prison, or become a victim of violence.

Keep Crime Out of Your Neighborhood

Criminals need people, houses, and businesses for their illegal activities. Do you see something suspicious in your neighborhood? Or do you think someone is involved in a form of crime or is being pressured to participate? On houdmisdaaduitjebuurt.nl you can find signals to watch for and information on what you can do about it. Want to share information anonymously? You can do so via Meld Misdaad Anoniem. This is an independent reporting point and not from the police. You do not need to leave any personal information, and information is only passed on if it cannot be traced back to you in any way.