10,000 kilos of illegal fireworks seized in Groenlo; Seller arrested

The amount of fireworks removed on Tuesday from a sales point in Groenlo, Gelderland totaled 10,000 kilos. This quantity far exceeds what is permitted under the license, police reported on Wednesday. The haul included both consumer and professional fireworks.

On Tuesday afternoon, authorities arrested the resident of the Beltrumseweg property, who was also selling the fireworks. Authorities have shut down the business and its sales point, and the police are carrying out further investigations.

Authorities launched an investigation into the sales point after a consumer was caught with fireworks that failed to meet packaging standards and were illegal to sell, which ultimately led them to the seller. Authorities found thousands of kilos of fireworks stored across a warehouse, a bunker, and a home. Police reported a barrel with smoldering remains outside the property.

During the police visit, a room was found where display fireworks were being worked on. The Defense Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service (EOD) confiscated all the fireworks, which are set to be destroyed.

In 2025, authorities in the Netherlands have already confiscated over 112,000 kilos of illegal fireworks, exceeding last year’s total.

Dutch law requires fireworks to be stored in designated bunkers rather than ordinary warehouses, because of the fire and explosion risks. Illegal storage endangers local residents, and police encourage people to report any suspicious fireworks storage.

Fireworks failing to comply with packaging and storage rules cannot be sold or kept. Those caught trading or storing them illegally can face criminal prosecution, with prison terms of up to six years.

Reactions to the sales point closure are divided among locals and fireworks fans: some see it as an overreaction, while others recognize the need for safety precautions.