Nearly 1,800 kilos of illegal fireworks found in Zuid-Holland raids; two arrested

Two people were arrested this week after police discovered some 1,780 kilograms of illegal fireworks kept in a home and a storage space. The arrests were made after Wednesday morning raids in Bleiswijk and Nootdorp, Zuid-Holland.

An anonymous tip led police to the dealer’s home in Bleiswijk, police said. They kept the suspect under surveillance, building up evidence of the illicit handling of explosives.

While only “a small amount of illegal fireworks” was found in the home, an “enormous amount of illegal fireworks was found in the storage space,” police said. Among the discovery was a batch of 30 thousand Cobra fireworks. All explosives were safely removed by experts, police said.

A 37-year-old from Den Haag and a 23-year-old from Nootdorp were taken into custody. One of the two is the fireworks dealer, while the other was in charge of the storage unit.

“The police are extra alert for the dealing of and possession of illegal fireworks during the days before New Year’s Eve,” police said, noting an increase in explosive power involved. “Illegal fireworks are not approved fireworks. Often the wicks are too short, the fireworks are damaged and there is too much powder in them, causing the fireworks to fold too quickly, too hard or in the wrong direction.”

This can lead to serious injuries and unexpected property damage.