Nine soldiers and former soldiers arrested for drug trafficking

The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee arrested nine servicemen and one ex-soldier this morning for possession and supply of hard drugs. One of them was caught using drugs during a festival earlier this year.

Marechaussee investigators read his phone, whereupon several colleagues entered the scene as suspects. One of them is no longer employed by the Ministry of Defence.

The use and distribution of drugs allegedly occurred in the military’s private time. Most were arrested this morning in barracks in Doorn, Amersfoort, Hilversum, Oirschot and Schaarsbergen. Their living areas and vehicles were also scanned with a drug sniffer dog.

Another soldier was arrested during a training exercise in Germany. The ex-soldier was arrested at his home address.

Other arrests are not excluded. Last week shield the Marechaussee has also indicted four soldiers on suspicion of possession of hard drugs. They were arrested at home in the Netherlands, Germany and Sint Maarten.