On Friday, May 2, 2025, officers from the Infrastructure Service of the National Expertise and Operations Unit observed that a motorist at the station in Ermelo was behaving suspiciously. There was a suspicion that a prohibited item might have been transferred. Officers wanted to check the motorist. Initially, he tried to escape but was eventually stopped.
Investigations revealed that he had no less than a hundred live rounds in his possession. The other man who had briefly been in the car was also arrested. After investigation, both suspects were released, and detectives from the National Expertise and Operations Unit continued the investigation under the authority of the National Public Prosecutors Office.
Follow-up Investigation
From the follow-up investigation, six suspects emerged. Shortly thereafter, the detectives decided to proceed with arrests and house searches. During the searches, dozens of handguns, hand grenades, various types of ammunition, and other explosive materials were found, all ready for use. We also discovered a 3D printer with printed firearm parts. The Explosives Clearance Service (EOD) was deployed at four addresses.
The men and two women, aged 22 to 59, from Heerhugowaard, Zandvoort, Diessen, Hagestein, Eefde, Brielle, Hellevoetsluis, and Haarlem have been detained for questioning.
Information revealed how easily this weaponry was discussed and how it could be converted. These conversations were not only between the suspect men but also with other people within families or friend groups.
Illegal Goods via Our Main Roads
The Netherlands is a trading country where many goods are imported and exported. Criminals transport illegal goods through our country. The Infrastructure Service of the National Expertise and Operations Unit enforces on our highways and intercepts weapons, drugs, and other illegal goods. With these insights, expertise, and investigative research, we gain insight into the supply routes of these illegal goods to and from abroad and combat crime.