The Northern Netherlands police will have busted fewer cannabis plantations and drug labs in 2025 than in the previous year. The figures are in line with a national trend: in most regions the police discovered fewer locations where cannabis or synthetic drugs are produced.
In the Northern Netherlands, the number of dismantled cannabis farms has fallen from 895 in 2024 to 759 in 2025, a decrease of 13.2 percent. In addition, the number of busted drug labs in Drenthe decreased: from seven in 2024 to five in 2025.
Despite the decline in the number of cannabis plantations rounded up, the amount of hemp seized increased. According to the police, this may be due to an increase in the number of dismantled plugs. These are locations where criminals take cuttings and multiply young hemp plants, after which the plants are sent to nurseries.
The number of closed cannabis farms has been declining for several years in a row. The police attribute this to several factors, such as lower priority and limited capacity. In addition, criminals are increasingly importing hemp illegally from abroad.
The number of closed cannabis farms in the Netherlands (text continues below the map):
