Netherlands National Drug Monitor - Research and Documentation ...

eported. These refer to 2007 in the case of police and KMar records on suspects as well
as disposals by the courts, whereas the remainder refer to 2008.
The following developments in both criminal investigations and drug legislation are
relevant as a background to the numbers:
• Trafficking and smuggling of heroin and cocaine, production and trafficking of synthetic
drugs and organised hemp cultivation are targeted by the programme ‘Clamp-down
on organised crime’. 7 In 2008 the National Police Agency (KLPD) classified these
activities as a threat to Dutch society, and they are prioritised in criminal investigations
during the period 2008-2012 (Boerman, Grapendaal & Mooij, 2008).
• The intensified activities arising from the ‘Plan to combat drug smuggling at Schiphol
airport’ have become permanent since 2006, and those targeting ecstasy (Combined
effort to combat ecstasy) since 2007.
• The intensified combating of hemp cultivation is still ongoing. The campaign was
stepped up in 2006, and there is currently a pilot programme aimed at tackling the
heavy organised crime behind hemp cultivation. 8
• In 2007, article 13b of the Opium Act was expanded to permit the closure of
premises where drug dealing takes place, without there being any disturbance to
public order.
9.1 Recent facts and trends
• The general picture for 2007 and 2008 is of a slight decline in the number of drugs
offences appearing before the courts and disposed of. No major changes are reported,
either from 2006 to 2007 or from 2007 to 2008.
• 2004 was a peak year in terms of numbers of drugs offences in the criminal justice
system. Since then, the numbers of total drug law violations have remained fairly
stable. Hard drug offences show a declining trend; soft drug offences increased in
2005, then stabilised and have recently declined slightly.
• The majority of criminal investigations conducted into the more serious forms of
organised crime were again aimed at drugs, in 2007 and 2008. Where hard drugs
are concerned, the police are chiefly targeting criminal organisations involved in
cocaine.
• In 2007 and 2008 fewer hemp plantations were dismantled than in previous years.
• Police records show over 21,000 suspects of Opium Act offences in 2007. This was
a decline on 2006. The majority of cases involved hard drugs. There was a rise in the
number and percentage of people suspected of both hard and soft drug offences.
7 Parliamentary Report: T.K.29911/1, 2007: Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal 2004-2005 session publication
number 29911 no. 10, 2007
8 Parliamentary Reports: T.K.24077/125, 2004: Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal 2003-2004 session, publication
number 24077 no.125, 2004; T.K.24077/184, 2006: Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal 2005-2006
session, publication number 24077 no.184, 2006; Stc 2008/171: Staatscourant September 2008 no. 171.
196 Netherlands National Drug Monitor - NDM Annual Report 2009