Estimate: 16 billion Euro white washed in the Netherlands

A rough estimate by the University of Utrecht is that in the Netherlands 16 billion euro are white washed per year. The study was done on behalf of the Center for Scientific Research and Documentation (WODC). About 90% of the money comes from drug trade and fraud. The researchers say  that this is in particular worrying because fraud is increasing in many ways.

www.telegraaf.nl/nieuws/2762556/in-witwassen-gaan-miljarden-om

Amsterdam Police Chief: Hand Grenades are Cheap

Amsterdam police chief, Pieter-Jaap Aalsberberg, says that grenades can be bought on the black market or dark web for 5-20 Euro.  Those found in Amsterdam regularly come from Yugoslavia or Russia.  He added, “Hand grenades belong to a war and not to a city.”  At present they have been found placed in locations in Amsterdam in a targeted manner.  They are probably part of a threat to a particular location, business or owners of a business. The AT5 broadcaster said that in 2014 there were four incidences involving hand grenades in Amsterdam.  This year there are already 14.  Not a single arrest has been made regarding these incidences this year.

https://nltimes.nl/2018/11/02/hand-grenade-costs-little-eu5-amsterdam-police-chief-says

Individual proves that underage youth can order alcohol online

Individuals show how easy it is for youngster to get alcohol online despite it being prohibited

A trial by an individual showed that it is easy to order alcohol online including hard liquor even if one is below the age of 18.  He placed orders a number of times and it was delivered without validating the age of the  person receiving the order.

https://www.ad.nl/binnenland/online-controle-faalt-jongeren-kunnen-zonder-problemen-alcohol-bestellen~a9e36edc/

Amsterdam Businesses threatened if they don’t pay Bitcoins

A variety of Amsterdam businesses, including 3 coffee shops, received an email threatening them with hand grenades or shooting unless they pay 50 thousand bitcoins each. It the payment is not made within one week the amount will be doubled. There have been many incidents involving hand grenades and other explosives in Amsterdam since the start of last year.

https://nltimes.nl/2018/10/31/amsterdam-businesses-threatened-hand-grenades-dont-pay-bitcoins

Dutch Companies have Permits to supply dual-use Products to Saudi Arabia

Dutch firms hold 94 government approved contracts to supply products to Saudi Arabia which can be used for civilian as well as military purposes. The contracts have a value of 130 million euro’s. The governments says that it intends to stop the export of goods which could be used to contravene human rights.

www.dutchnews.nl/news/2018/10/dutch-companies-have-94-permits-to-supply-dual-use-products-to-saudi-arabia/

Soldiers live in Hotels; Barracks are unlivable

About 200 Dutch soldiers had to leave their barracks in Huis ter Heide because they are unlivable. The rooms are outdated, the hygiene is very bad and in some of the barracks there was much vermin. As there is no place in barracks in the neighborhood they will be living in the coming months in hotels around the town of Zeist.

https://nltimes.nl/2018/10/26/dutch-soldiers-living-hotels-barracks-unlivable-report

Utrecht Central Area In International Cocaine Trade

The Utrecht area plays a central role in the international cocaine trade.  While the cocaine is produced elsewhere, the organization of the trade is based in Utrecht.  This creates extreme violence including a number of killings in the area. One shipment of cocaine can be worth  €150 million.

https://www.ad.nl/binnenland/extreem-geweld-extreem-veel-geld-grote-zorgen-om-cokehandel-in-regio-utrecht~acaad46a/