Suspects of mega-capture of methamphetamine on the loose

Suspects of mega-capture of methamphetamine on the loose

The court in Zwolle has released the seven suspects who were imprisoned for (among other things) involvement in the huge catch of crystal meth, in 2019 in Rotterdam-Schiebroek. On June 13, 2019, the police found 2,539 kilograms of meth in a hidden room in a commercial building. That catch is a European record. This meth was smuggled to Rotterdam in blocks of aerated concrete.

Iran

A warehouse in De Meern contained barrels with a total of 17,500 liters of chemicals that are used for washing cocaine and the production of synthetic drugs. The police also found hollowed-out blocks of guest concrete in which the drugs had been transported. In the ensuing investigation, the detectives found that the main suspect was in contact with another group that dealt in multiple types of drugs.

Kyrgyzstan

For example, heroin was supplied from Iran via Kyrgyzstan and Turkey to the port of Antwerp.

In 2020 and 2021, the detectives also discovered labs where cocaine paste was converted into blocks of sniffable cocaine. Those labs were dismantled in Halsteren and Poortvliet. In a house in Rotterdam, among other things, a money counting machine and more than 800,000 euros in cash were found.

Furthermore, according to the Public Prosecution Service, a transport of more than 700 kilos of cocaine from Peru was in preparation. Several suspects, according to the police, had contact with Mexicans who advised them on setting up laboratories for the production of drugs.

Thirty suspects

Several major investigations have come together and more than thirty suspects have been identified. Ten of these were eventually brought to court. Five of them are on the run. The pre-trial detention of seven suspects was suspended on Tuesday.

Lawyer Cem Polat: ‘It is not yet clear when a substantive treatment can take place. This is, for example, because more than thirty witnesses have to be heard and because a number of suspects are on the run, according to the judiciary.’

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