Traffic jams likely as border control checks step up

The stricter border controls the Netherlands implemented in September are not enough in the fight against human trafficking and the work method for control checks at the Dutch borders is being adjusted. This entails a good chance of more traffic jams, Justice State Secretary Klaas Dijkhoff announced on Monday, news wire ANP reports.

From now on traffic will have to slow down at border crossings where where the marechaussee, a policing force working as a branch of the military, is performing mobile surveillance checks. This gives the marechaussee better opportunity to identify vehicles to stop in order to fight human trafficking. The more intensive checks will slow the traffic flow and may cause traffic jams, Dijkhoff stated.

The marechaussee started doing random check at the borders, in airports, on international trains and on the water in September. Since then 80 people were arrested on suspicion of human trafficking. The mobile brigades take all people who want to request asylum to reception centers.