15.02.2015 Views

National Threat Assessment 2008. Organised Crime - Politie

National Threat Assessment 2008. Organised Crime - Politie

National Threat Assessment 2008. Organised Crime - Politie

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

Another development seen in recent years involves the activities of so-called<br />

‘rip groups’. They specialise in raiding nurseries that have just been harvested.<br />

These raids sometimes involve a great deal of violence, which adds to the<br />

aforementioned hardening of the cannabis sector.<br />

2.5.5 Consequences for Dutch society<br />

Public health<br />

Cannabis use has limited negative consequences for a person’s health. The<br />

use of cannabis as such has limited physical consequences. Research into the<br />

long-term effects of cannabis use among young people has shown that, under<br />

normal circumstances, cannabis has no direct relationship with brain defects.<br />

However, for certain high-risk groups cannabis consumption definitely affects<br />

mental health. Furthermore, frequent and intensive use of cannabis not only<br />

involves a risk of mental addiction, but also risks relating to psychosocial<br />

functioning. There are vulnerable groups that are more at risk of running into<br />

problems. Heavy users of cannabis show behavioural disorders and other<br />

behavioural problems more than average, but it should be noted that these<br />

issues generally precede the cannabis use and are not a result of it. The rise in<br />

the number of intensive and long-term cannabis users is expected to continue<br />

in the next few years, especially within the high-risk groups. Most cannabis<br />

users suffer no direct harm as a result.<br />

Social nuisance<br />

Illegal cannabis cultivation is a limited nuisance. The main problems are<br />

nurseries in residential areas that cause obnoxious smells in the immediate<br />

living environment or create a dangerous situation in the residential district.<br />

Non-professional installation of electricity and improperly setting up the nursery<br />

may cause a fire hazard or flooding. In Rotterdam the fire brigade is called out<br />

twice a month to a fire related to illegal cannabis cultivation. The property will<br />

also be damaged if a cannabis nursery is set up there. Illegal cannabis nurseries<br />

are mainly located in areas with socio-economic disadvantages, and the areas<br />

can become criminalised as a result. These areas are usually run-down and<br />

impoverished and there is often tension between residents or between residents<br />

and the local government. However, this situation is not caused by the presence<br />

of cannabis nurseries. On the other hand, cannabis cultivation in an area with<br />

socio-economic disadvantages can promote further criminalisation.<br />

Damage to property<br />

The organised criminals in the cannabis sector mostly use fraud to launder their<br />

money, to enter into a rental contract under false pretences or to take out a<br />

chapter 2 – Illegal markets<br />

63

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!