Police find 8,500 kilos of illegal fireworks in Amsterdam warehouse
Police discovered 8,500 kilos of illegal fireworks on December 4. Officers had gone to a warehouse on Basisweg in Amsterdam-West to seize a car as part of an unrelated investigation when they came across the fireworks.
The fireworks were stored on several pallets. They were confiscated and later destroyed. No arrests have been made in connection with the fireworks investigation so far.
“The illegal sale and storage of prohibited fireworks create potentially life-threatening risks, with a high chance of fires and explosions that can endanger entire neighborhoods. Police are therefore calling on residents to report any suspicions of illegal fireworks possession,” police said in a statement.
In Amsterdam, a total ban is in place on setting off fireworks, with the exception of children’s fireworks. The city is anticipating a nationwide ban that is set to take effect in 2026. Instead, professional fireworks displays are organized during New Year’s celebrations.
This was not the only time that the warehouse had been visited by authorities this month. On December 11 , three men were arrested at the location by the Fiscal Information and Investigation Service (FIOD).
The suspects, aged 31, 35 and 36, are from Amsterdam, Weesp and Uithoorn. They are being investigated for fraud involving passenger car and motorcycle tax (BPM) and for document forgery. Police searched their homes and business premises, seizing physical and digital records, nearly 100,000 euros in cash and more than 20 vehicles. A cannabis grow operation was also found and dismantled at one of the properties.
Investigators believe the suspects committed BPM fraud when importing vehicles from other EU countries, using false purchase contracts, price lists and valuation reports.
Appraisers, including the 31-year-old suspect, allegedly claimed cars had damage that did not exist, lowering their official value so less tax had to be paid. The FIOD believes several car dealerships worked together using the same method.
Investigators estimate that more than a thousand BPM tax returns were filed incorrectly. The total financial loss to the state is estimated at around 7 million euros.
