Amsterdam closes car company accused of building hidden compartments in criminal cars

A car company Carfix Dew in Amsterdam Zuidoost was closed down indefinitely by Amsterdam Mayor Eberhard van der Laan on Tuesday morning. The authorities believe the company built hidden compartments into cars for criminals to use in smuggling weapons, drugs or money, Het Parool reports.

This is the first time that a garage in Amsterdam is closed for posing "a serious risk" to public order.

Carfix Dew on Kuiperbergweg, owned by Dewanand K., came to police attention during an investigation into international drug trafficking. The main suspect in that investigation was seen speaking to K. several times and hidden compartments were found in three of his cars. In February a surveillance team frequently saw criminals convicted for drug or weapon crimes entering the business. And a Volvo seized in a money laundering investigation was also driven in and out of the company several times.

As far as is known, K. has not been arrested, though Het Parool could not reach him for a comment on Tuesday morning.

Criminals increasingly use hidden compartments to traffic drugs, weapons or money. One Amsterdam detective told the newspaper that this is likely due to increased and more dynamic searches and checks. Last year the Amsterdam police discovered 1.3 million euros in a hidden compartment under a Saab's spare tire.