The number of visible dumps of drug barrels in the Netherlands fell by 35 percent in 2019 compared to a year earlier. This is probably due to the fact that criminals more often opt for alternative ways to get rid of their drug waste, says Max Daniel, portfolio holder for drugs at the police, in conversation with NU.nl.
According to him, agents and citizens have become more alert to drug dumping. That is why drug makers are increasingly discharging their waste in places where the police have no idea, such as in water or manure pits.
They also leave residues of xtc and MDMA more often in barrels or jerry cans at abandoned production sites. In addition, the dumping of drug barrels in nature is larger, which may also be a reason why the number of dumps is decreasing.
The police counted a total of 191 dumps last year compared to 292 in 2018. The vast majority took place in Noord-Brabant (90) followed by Gelderland and Limburg (both 28). In the latter province, the number of discharges decreased by more than 50 percent. The number of dumping locations only increased in North Holland (from 9 to 13) and in Friesland (from 0 to 1).
These figures are at odds with the number of rolled-up drug labs, which in the same period increased from 82 to 90. As in previous years, most production locations were in Noord-Brabant (25), Gelderland (15) and Limburg (13).
How exactly the amount of dumps relates to the number of pills that are made is difficult to say, says Daniel. The overall picture is still missing.
Chemists brushed up in practice labs
According to Daniel, the waste discharges present an immediate danger to public health, because dangerous acids are released in the case of leaking drug barrels. In addition, the police do not know about the ‘invisible’ dumps or whether residues end up in groundwater.
The police are therefore teaching its agents about the risks of synthetic drugs in special training labs. “Because if you want to recognize chemical compositions, you have to be half a chemist,” says Daniel. “At the same time, we warn agents about the latest developments, such as the worrying rise of methamphetamine (crystal meth).”
The police also train police officers to recognize drug labs and to invade them properly due to, for example, the risk of explosion. “We don’t want them to do stupid things, such as just opening a freezer, putting their fingers on fabrics or entering a lab without wearing a face mask or protective clothing.”
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