Netherlands, Belgium, Germany cooperate on motorcycle gangs

The bordering nations of the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany have agreed on a closer partnership in the fight against outlaw motorcycle gangs. The three countries intend to do a better job sharing information, and to change the way they work on the issue both administratively and in investigative procedures, newswire ANP reported. The deal was made in Luxembourg at the end of the week. Justice Minister Ard van der Steur notified the Dutch parliament of the agreement on Thursday. Roughly 160 investigations were launched against motorcycle gangs, with 215 defendants brought before the court since the Netherlands took a hard line against the form of organised crime. Since 2012 the Netherlands increased its efforts in fighting crime and incidents related to motorcycle gangs. Drug trafficking, money laundering, violence, theft and threats are the most common. It led to 108 guilty verdicts that sent 88 to prison in 117 court cases. Six were acquitted, while the rest are awaiting further hearings, ANP stated.