From Mushrooms to Decoy Bus: A Week-long Fight Against Undermining

Undermining at Sports Clubs

Together with partners such as municipalities and the RIEC, various awareness discussions were held with entrepreneurs, holiday parks, and sports clubs. In a session with sports clubs, it became clear that they are not aware that they can also be affected by undermining. It happens that money is laundered through sports clubs, for example through sponsorship and investments in a club.

Various Actions

This year, various actions took place, focusing on themes such as holiday parks, human trafficking, and the environment. In the Utrechtse Heuvelrug, 100 holiday accommodations were checked, 41 of which were found to be permanently inhabited. Additionally, 19 nitrous oxide canisters were found in a shed, and a person with an outstanding prison sentence and another with an outstanding fine of €3000 were encountered. The fine was paid on the spot.

During a check for human trafficking and prostitution, four women from South America were found in four residences in Veenendaal who were possibly engaged in prostitution. Further investigation into the case is underway.

In the municipality of Heuvelrug, more than 35 kilograms of mushrooms were seized during an enforcement action organized by various disciplines. 3.5 kilograms of these were fly agarics, which are classified as drugs under list II of the Opium Act. The suspects will receive a report.

Suspicious Decoy Bus Reported Only Once

In the municipalities of Rhenen, Renswoude, Veenendaal, Amerongen, Doorn, Wijk bij Duurstede, and Cothen, a decoy bus was placed at various locations for ten days. This decoy bus was filled with barrels, gas masks, gloves, and overalls. The purpose of the bus is to make residents more aware of a suspicious situation, in this case, drug crime. The goal was for citizens to report the suspicious situation. Unfortunately, only a single report was made regarding the decoy bus. This is despite the fact that reporting suspicious signals and situations is very important in the fight against undermining and drug crime.

The police urge everyone to always report if you see, smell, or hear something suspicious. Even in doubt. Learn to recognize signals via www.houdmisdaaduitjebuurt.nl and report them to the police via 0900-8844 or the website, or completely anonymously at Meld Misdaad Anoniem via 0800-7000.