The Netherlands joins Belgium, France and Spain in the fight against crime | Inland

The countries want to join forces to cut off serious criminals. This is especially necessary because drug crime does not stop at national borders, it is clear from the statement. “This fundamental threat must be contained and reduced as much as possible.”

Criminal networks and revenue models must be disrupted, criminals must be arrested and their assets must be taken away. Measures are aimed at preventing crime, but also at combating it. “We must prevent that if we take firm measures in the port of Rotterdam to combat drug trafficking, it will subsequently increase in Antwerp,” says outgoing minister Grapperhaus (Justice and Security). “That would otherwise lead to major problems for our Belgian neighbours, but also for the Netherlands and other European countries because both ports are an important gateway to the European market.”

Sharing information

It is also important that if the Dutch police come across important information, it can be quickly shared with the Spanish or French police, says the CDA minister. And that joint action is taken against international criminal groups and their assets in Europe as well as in Latin America and the Caribbean.”

The focus is mainly on drug crime. The countries will work together to better protect vulnerable transit areas, for example by sharing information more actively. Seaports, airports and postal services must therefore become more resilient to abuse, corruption and criminal infiltration. But they are also joining forces in the field of investigation.

Warning

The responsible minister of the countries warns that it is five to twelve. “If we do not act with great determination to counter the threat of serious and organized crime, criminal pressures will increase and all parts of society will be affected.”

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