Surge in human trafficking seen in Rotterdam region

By Janene Pieters on May 19, 2016 - 08:45
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Klaas Dijkhoff during a work visit to the Koninklijke Marechaussee's Mobile Surveillance Security on Nov 9th 2015 (Photo: Rijksoverheid). (Klaas Dijkhoff during a work visit to the Koninklijke Marechaussee's Mobile Surveillance Security on Nov 9th 2015 (Photo: Rijksoverheid))

The Pubic Prosecutor in Rotterdam reports a sharp increase in the number of human trafficking investigations in the Rotterdam. Last year a total of 20 cases were filed with the Prosecutor, almost as many as in the previous two years combined, ANP reports.

A total of 32 human trafficking suspects were arrested since the beginning of this year. Most of the cases revolve around Hoek van Holland, from where there is a daily ferry to and from England.

To combat the increasing trafficking, the police and Koninklijke Marechaussee - a policing force that works as a branch of the military and is responsible for security on the borders and in airports - will be deploying extra troops to Hoek van Holland, the port o Rotterdam and the Botlek area. These troops will perform extra checks on trucks, using special equipment and sniffer dogs trained to find humans.

In the coming weeks, nine human trafficking suspects are appearing in court in Rotterdam and Dordrecht.

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