Two Dutch arrested in Australian drug case

By Janene Pieters on August 8, 2017 - 15:00
1,000 kilos of MDMA intercepted in an investigation into drug trafficking from the Netherlands to Australia, between 22 May and 18 July 2017
1,000 kilos of MDMA intercepted in an investigation into drug trafficking from the Netherlands to Australia, between 22 May and 18 July 2017. (Photo: Public Prosecutor / OM)

An criminal gang suspected of trafficking hard drugs from the Netherlands to Australia was arrested in an international police action, the Dutch Public Prosecutor announced on Tuesday. A total of 17 suspects were arrested, including two Dutch.

A 33-year-old man from Utrecht and a 47-year-old man from Huizen were arrested in the Netherlands on Tuesday. The Dutch police became involved in this case, called Operation Veyda, after the Australian police asked the Netherlands to investigate the origin of drugs trafficked to the country.

During the investigation, the Dutch police intercepted and seized 1,000 kilograms of MDMA, 116 kilograms of cocaine and 15 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine before the drugs reached Australia. The Utrecht man is suspected of trying to export 500 kilograms MDMA, the Huizen man is suspected of trying to export the rest of the intercepted drugs.

The police also seized 500 euros in banknotes found while searching the Utrecht man's address and an amount of hashish in Huizen.

The other 15 suspects are all Australian. Ten of them were arrested in Sydney, the other five in Dubai. 

116 kilos of cocaine intercepted in an investigation into drug trafficking from the Netherlands to Australia, between 22 May and 18 July 2017
116 kilos of cocaine intercepted in an investigation into drug trafficking from the Netherlands to Australia, between 22 May and 18 July 2017. (Photo: Public Prosecutor / OM)

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