Dutch criminals using teenagers for crime in Germany, Belgium; Prosecutor concerned

The Dutch Public Prosecution Service (OM) is very concerned about Dutch criminals using teenagers to commit crimes in Belgium and Germany These often vulnerable teens are typically recruited in the Netherlands and then sent across the border to retrieve drugs from containers or steal cars, for example. A lack of capacity and the international component make tackling this issue very challenging, the OM told the Telegraaf.

During the early hours of March 8, the Belgian authorities arrested five teenagers, aged 14, 16, and 18, at the port of Antwerp. The next day, they arrested another 14-year-old boy and a 19-year-old man at the same quay and discovered a large quantity of cocaine.

The OM pointed out two worrying facts about these arrests - the young age of the suspects and how quickly the criminals could find new kids to retrieve their drugs after the first group got caught.

According to the OM, Belgium releases underage suspects even faster than the Netherlands does. “With a few exceptions, they do not receive punishments, but measures. Criminals in the Netherlands know this, and that is also why they use young teenagers for criminal activities. In this way, they do not run any risks themselves,” a human trafficking prosecutor of the OM Limburg told the newspaper.

“When I look at Limburg, we see that teenagers from our province are sent to Belgium and Germany. In Belgian places like Ostend, they are used to deal drugs. Usually in exchange for some money and some drugs. In Germany, criminals from Limburg use teenagers who are sometimes only 16 to steal cars.”

According to the prosecutor, criminals target vulnerable teenagers. “Some of them may look 18 but have the IQ of a 10-year-old. They are very impressionable and are looking for recognition and status. I see these teenagers who are arrested mainly as victims of human trafficking. Others use them for their own gain. We should focus on these big criminals or organizations and prosecute them for human trafficking. In principle, that is punishable by 12 years in prison,” he said.

But that is easier said than done. “Tackling the problem of the exploitation of young people is made more difficult by the fact that they operate across the border. Requests for legal assistance are accompanied by a lot of administrative work. That eats up capacity, and the investigations take a very long time. In Limburg, we are struggling with a major lack of capacity in the police force,” the prosecutor said.

Prevention is, therefore, essential. “That starts with raising awareness among teenagers and parents,” the Limburg prosecutor said. “If a child suddenly has a lot of money or expensive items, that is a clear signal. If someone asks you to take a package somewhere in exchange for 100 euros or a new coat, something is wrong. Once you are in the circuit, it is hard to get out. These young people will soon be lost. And we really have to prevent that.”