Prosecutors seek up to 17 years in appeal against alleged drug kingpin, 17 others
The Dutch Public Prosecution Service (OM) is seeking prison sentences of up to 17 years and nine months on appeal for 18 defendants accused of belonging to a criminal organization led by alleged drug lord Piet S. from The Hague. The group is suspected of running a long-term international drug trafficking network and laundering millions in proceeds, NOS reports.
The appeal marks a new phase in a case that previously resulted in convictions in The Hague, where courts imposed prison terms of up to 17 years. Piet S. received the longest sentence at that time, while 25 co-defendants — including relatives and acquaintances — were sentenced to between six months and 12 years in prison.
In the current appeal, prosecutors are demanding the maximum sentence for Piet S., who is described as the organization’s leader and central figure. For the other 17 defendants, the OM is seeking prison terms ranging from one year to 12 years.
The investigation, codenamed “Taxus,” began in 2016 and led to arrests in 2020. Police carried out raids at dozens of locations across the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Hungary, and Slovakia. Authorities seized drugs, large sums of money, and firearms during the operations.
Investigators used undercover agents as well as intercepted communications from the encrypted messaging network EncroChat, widely used by criminal groups, to build their case.
According to prosecutors, the organization operated extensive international drug routes spanning Russia, Australia, England, and Paraguay. The group allegedly trafficked large quantities of cocaine and hashish, as well as amphetamine, crystal meth, heroin, and ecstasy. Customs officials and port employees were also allegedly bribed to facilitate shipments.
Piet S., who was known in criminal circles by several nicknames including “Dikke Piet,” “de Eindbaas,” and “de Haagse Godfather,” is portrayed by prosecutors as being involved in nearly every major shipment, either directly or indirectly. The OM says there was no significant action within the organization without his approval or knowledge.
Among the alleged shipments cited by prosecutors are 4,600 kilograms of cocaine from South America and more than 11,000 kilograms of hashish from Morocco. Prosecutors argue these operations demonstrate the scale and coordination of the network.
Authorities estimate the drug trafficking generated millions in profits. To conceal these proceeds, the organization allegedly set up a separate laundering structure using private limited companies (bv’s), through which they purchased real estate, luxury vehicles, and expensive watches. The OM is now seeking fines for eight of these companies, ranging from 25,000 to 100,000 euros.
