Banks, authorities join to fight weed homes
Police, Prosecutor's Office and the Foundation Against Mortgage Fraud SFH are joining forces in Zeeland/West Brabant in the fight against marijuana plantations in purchased dwellings.
A press release says the bodies have signed a covenant that not only arranges that homeowners will be prosecuted, but also that they may lose their mortgage and home if they are caught growing marijuana. It authorizes police to provide financial institutions with structural information about weed dwellings. Mortgage providers do not accept these wrongdoings and will hold the owner responsible for damages caused.
And, says the press release, since marijuana plantations and mortgage fraud often go hand-in-hand, police have reasons to carry out their own investigations. If there are indications that there is fraud in play, payback of the loan will be demanded, charges will be filed and the people concerned will be added to the Incident Warning System of mortgage providers. Anyone who is listed in this system is likely not to be granted a new loan. It's aimed at being a full-circle system it seems; a charge for mortgage fraud weighs heavy in a criminal dossier and with the information from mortgage providers authorities will be able to lay criminal linkages bare.
Hans Vissers, police chief in Zeeland/West Brabant said the covenant comes at an opportune moment. "We are encountering more and more marijuana plantations in purchase homes; probably because of the tight control, but also because owners are desperate to find use for their homes they are having difficulty selling."
Police cleared 600 weed plantations in 2013, 45% of which regarded purchase homes. Speculations are that Brabant is home to 5,500 to 6,800 weed plantations that grow some 343 tons of dry marijuana annually; worth almost €1 billion. Authorities say the weed plantations are part of organised crime rings, which are linked to money laundering. Operating weed plantations is said to also heighten the risk of fires. Visser called on the community to report any weed plantations anonymously.