After extensive investigation on Wednesday, June 26, the police arrested a 51-year-old Albanian taxi driver in Amsterdam who is suspected of playing a facilitating role for Albanian criminals in Amsterdam.
The investigation started in response to suspicions from the police that the suspect used his taxi work as a cover for facilitating drug trafficking. During the investigation it appeared that the taxi driver transported people to and from drug houses and it appeared that he transported several kilos of cocaine in his taxi. This taxi driver's home has been searched by the police and his taxi has been confiscated.
Legal aid request
The taxi driver's clientele also included members of an internationally operating criminal organization. After a request for legal assistance from the Danish authorities, two more properties were searched by the Amsterdam police - in collaboration with the National Criminal Investigation Department and the Advanced Search team of Defense - and a 45-year-old man was arrested at Schiphol. The searches included a car with a hidden space, a large amount of (hard) drugs and a considerable amount of cash seized. The Danish authorities have requested the surrender of the 45-year-old suspect.
Europol
The arrests and searches were part of a Europol-supported action involving arrests and searches in six European countries linked to the same criminal organization. Press release stands here.
In the fight against subversion, the police also explicitly tackle facilitators. In this approach, the police collaborates with the municipality and the public prosecution service.
