Prosecution blunder: Sensitive file in Utrecht drug case lost on street
A prosecutor lost dozens of pages containing highly sensitive information about a drug case on the street in Utrecht. Copies of these documents are now making the rounds in the city. An anonymous source shared the original documents with DUIC.
The handwritten pages contain reports of tapped conversations and observations about a large drug case involving several members of the same Dutch-Moroccan family in Utrecht. The reports extensively discuss the trade of three men in the family. They also contain suspects' names, addresses, phone numbers and travel information.
At least four members of the family are currently in custody on suspicion of drug trafficking, money laundering and participation in a criminal organization. They were arrested on February 21st of this year. A female suspect was initially released, but was later arrested again for breaking the terms of her release.
The Public Prosecutor responded in a statement: "This should not have happened. The relevant prosecutor is deeply affected and was admonished by her supervisor. She will inform the lawyers and the court about this and apologize."
According to lawyer Anis Boumanjal, who is representing one of the suspects, the documents are being handed from person to person in the Utrecht neighborhood of Overvecht. "My client's privacy was violated to a great extent. Of course, I don't assume this was done with malice, but negligence was certainly involved." He will discuss the consequences and next steps with his client.
The suspects' next hearing is scheduled for August 15th. They previously appeared in court in April 24th.
