Cop accused of selling investigation target info could spend 3.5 years in prison
The Public Prosecution Service (Openbaar Ministerie, OM) has called for prison sentences ranging from five years to eight years against three Amsterdam men aged 22, 27, and 36. The 36-year-old, a police officer at the time of his arrest, faces charges including computer trespassing, violation of official secrecy, and corruption. The other two suspects are accused of bribery, money laundering, and drug trafficking.
The investigation began on February 24, 2023, when police stopped a car in Utrecht following a tip. Officers found three men inside, along with firearms and mobile phones. One phone contained police information — including license plates, addresses, and personal details — that was allegedly sold for money. Investigators traced nine police service numbers that had accessed this data. By analyzing log files and duty rosters, authorities zeroed in on the 36-year-old suspect.
Under the direction of the National Police Internal Investigations Service (Rijksrecherche), the probe into suspected bribery was launched. Surveillance included placing recording devices in the cars of the police officer and his brother, the 27-year-old suspect. The recordings captured conversations confirming the sale of police information.
In one exchange, the 27-year-old told an unknown man he knew someone within the police who could reveal how “hot” people were — a term indicating whether someone was under police investigation. He later provided information that a person was being monitored.
Recordings also revealed the brothers discussing requested information and its status. Investigators found that they had queried 23 license plates and 19 individuals, earning tens of thousands of euros from the illegal activity. The 27-year-old also appeared to be involved actively in drug trafficking.
On June 18, 2024, all three suspects were arrested. Police found large sums of cash and luxury items at the youngest brother’s residence. At the home of the 22-year-old, a contact of the younger brother, police discovered over 65 kilograms of hard drugs worth about 1.5 million euros, alongside significant amounts of cash.
During interrogation, the 36-year-old admitted to leaking information but claimed he was coerced by criminal elements. The OM rejected this defense, noting that evidence showed he provided unsolicited information, encouraged his brother to demand higher payments, and repeatedly urged his brother to report information requests during a single day he was on duty — behavior inconsistent with coercion.
“The 36-year-old suspect, as a police officer, abused his position and grossly violated the trust placed in him,” the prosecutor said in court. “He engaged in bribery, betraying the public’s confidence.” Regarding the 27-year-old, the prosecutor stated, “He played a very active role as an information broker in leaking police data, a function of great importance to serious organized crime.”
The OM seeks a 42-month prison term and an eight-year professional ban for the 36-year-old. For the 27-year-old brother, prosecutors demand eight years in prison. The 22-year-old suspect agreed to a plea deal earlier, consenting to a five-year prison sentence.
