Drug activity overruns Den Helder neighborhood, dealers take over at-risk locals’ homes

Drug activity is overrunning Sluisdijkbuurt in Den Helder, where residents report constant harassment and say dealers are taking over the homes of vulnerable residents and addicts. According to NH, the problems include open drug use, human waste in public spaces, and drug dealing from multiple houses.

One woman described to NH an incident captured on her security camera. “Last night, a man was knocking at my house and shouting through my mail slot. Half an hour later, he came back wearing a balaclava. My children were crying. They said, 'Mom, what does that man want?’ I am scared; my children are too.” Another resident told the newspaper about a night-time intrusion. “Last night someone knocked and shouted in front of my door.”

Residents say the disruption is constant. One described the cleanup work outside her home. “It is absolutely insane. We are cleaning every day. Look, the bottle of vinegar is behind the door. As soon as you leave, they are back smoking weed or snorting drugs.”

The neighborhood’s layout plays a role, according to neighborhood police officer Rolf Regtop. It contains narrow, covered passages between and under homes. Police say these areas allow dealers and users to move unnoticed.

“We also see that dealers are increasingly taking over homes of socially vulnerable people and addicts,” he added. Regtop said it often starts gradually. “They first act like your friend. They cook for you, do your groceries, and give you free drugs. Before you know it, they are in your bed and you are sleeping on the couch or living on the street.” He said intimidation follows quickly. “People are aggressively approached and do not dare to say anything. Then their home is taken over.”

Care worker Irma Elbers from the Salvation Army works with affected residents and drug users. She said conditions worsen once dealers move in. “Once a house has been taken over by dealers, a grim atmosphere develops. A lot of aggression. Then I am no longer welcome.”

She said the cycle repeats across the neighborhood. “You then see more and more complaints from residents, and at a certain point people are evicted from their homes. And that entire group of dealers and users simply moves on to other socially vulnerable people and addicts in the neighborhood. That is how it goes. It is just recycling.”

Police say enforcement is difficult. Suspects often carry only small amounts of products. That limits arrests and prosecutions. Regtop said, “Arresting them is difficult, because they are not carrying kilos of hard drugs.”

He also pointed to structural limits in enforcement. “Criminal prosecution is difficult because it takes a long time to gather evidence. We do not have enough staff, and it is not always effective.”

Drug debris is found throughout the area. Residents report bags of drugs, a crack pipe, and alcohol waste in alleys and near homes. Regtop said, “Mostly hard drugs, but also probably a bag that contained weed. And a bottle of strong alcohol by a fence.”

Authorities say the problem extends beyond Sluisdijkbuurt. In Den Helder and across Noord-Holland, 16 drug houses have been closed in the past five years under the Damocles law. Closures followed reports of drug odors, explosions, or violence.

The municipality says the city is not unique in facing these issues. “Here too we know vulnerable residents whose homes are being used for criminal activities. These cases are discussed in the housing fraud team, after which tailored measures are applied.”

It added that resources are limited. “We do not have additional powers, but we try to achieve an appropriate approach through our network.”

KWR Water Research Institute data show cocaine and speed use in Den Helder is comparable to way bigger cities: Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Wastewater analysis estimates about 52,000 euros in drugs are traded in the Noordkop region. About 38,000 euros is concentrated in Den Helder. Cocaine accounts for the largest share, followed by cannabis, speed, and ecstasy.

Regtop said efforts continue, but results remain limited. “Everyone is working hard on it. We are doing good things, but we are not solving the problem yet. We do want to, of course.”