More crystal meth production in Netherlands

Dutch drug criminals are increasingly involved in making crystal meth. Over the past year, 10 crystal meth laboratories were dismantled in the Netherlands. "A few years ago, we hardly ever saw it", a police spokesperson said to NRC, calling 2018 a "turning point" in the production of meth.

In the past, drug labs in the Netherlands were focused mainly on ecstasy, speed and cocaine. In the past months alone, the police closed down crystal meth labs in Zuilaren, Lunteren, Oss and Weert. In some cases, thousands of kilos and liters of raw materials used for making meth were also found.

According to the newspaper, there is also an increase in the amount of meth-related waste being dumped in the country. In April 50 barrels of drug waste were found in waste containers in Tilburg. A person became unwell due to the strong chemical fumes.

Last week over 13 kilograms of crystal meth, with a street value of over 2 million euros, was found in a Rotterdam apartment. In July two Dutch men were caught trying to smuggle 15 kilograms of raw materials for crystal meth to the Spanish island of Ibiza.

Crystal meth is considered one of the strongest hard drugs. It is methamphetamine in crystal form and can be swallowed, smoked, snorted or injected. Addiction institution Jelinek calls crystal meth use very risky, because it can lead to permanent brain damage and is very addictive.