Another 4 arrests in investigation into Brabant crime family

On Monday the police made four more arrests in the investigation into the organized crime family in Noord-Brabant allegedly run by Martien R. That means that a total of seven suspects are now in custody, including Martien R. himself.

Investigators have been keeping an eye on the four men arrested on Monday for some time, the police said in a statement. In the afternoon a police SWAT team forced a car off the road on Zandzuigerstraat in 's-Hertogenbosch and arrested the two men inside, aged 57 and 55 from Berghem. Both are suspected of membership to a criminal organization. The 57-year-old man is also suspected of being involved in the production of synthetic drugs. The 55-year-old is also suspected of drug trafficking.

A short time later, another SWAT team raided a home in Helmond. The 44-year-old resident was arrested. He is suspected of belonging to a criminal organization and illegal arms trade. A 24-year-old man was arrested in Oss. He is suspected of drug trafficking and membership to a criminal organization.

"This foursome also had an important role in the criminal organization that we have fully been focused since at least 13 November", the investigation leader said. "Because of restrictions, we cannot give further details about the exact suspicions."

Immediately after the arrests, the police raided several homes in Helmond, Berghem, Oss, Asten and Lommel in Belgium. The police previously also raided caravan parks in Oss and Lith. In a van seized in Oss on Friday, the police found a large number of firearms, including three Kalashnikovs and three machine guns, and a large amount of ammunition.