Amsterdam man arrested for possession and sale of explosives

Police discovered 198 explosives, classified as illegal fireworks, during a search of a residence in Amsterdam Nieuw-West on Thursday. The search followed a tip about the illegal trade in explosives. A 21-year-old man from Amsterdam was arrested at the scene.

These specific illegal fireworks are dangerous because they contain flash powder, a material more explosive than gunpowder, the police have said. In this case, authorities seized over 5 kilograms of flash powder, a volatile substance that can ignite from friction or static electricity.

Additionally, this type of firework is often capable of setting off a chain reaction if a single item detonates. The consequences of such an explosion can be catastrophic.

With this arrest, police believe they have dismantled a link in the trade of explosives and several recent explosive attacks on various property, disrupting the criminal network involved. Authorities asked anyone with suspicion about the storage, sale or transportation of illegal fireworks to contact police. This can also be done anonymously.