Schiphol workers arrested in drug trafficking investigation

Another two Schiphol employees were arrested in an investigation into large-scale drug trafficking. The two men, aged 33 and 44 from Amsterdam, worked in the baggage, catering and cleaning departments. They were arrested by the Koninklijke Marechaussee on Tuesday, NU.nl reports.

Twelve other arrests were made in this investigation last year. Nine of those suspects worked at Schiphol. The suspects arrested last year have since been released from custody and will appear in court at a later date. The two arrested on Tuesday are in custody.

According to the Marechaussee, a policing force that works as part of the Dutch military and is responsible for border security including at airports, investigation revealed that the organization behind this drug trafficking could bring suitcases filled with heroin and cocaine to the Netherlands "with the greatest ease". In previous actions the Marechaussee seized over 100 kilograms of heroin and cocaine and around 100 thousand euros in cash.

The suspected Schiphol workers had access to the secured area of the airport. This allowed them to roam freely in locations where few people are allowed, such as the area where baggage is handled.