From next spring, the police will be able to seize drugs and raw materials more often and arrest suspects. A new ‘substance test’ will soon be rolled out nationally after a successful trial in Zeeland and West Brabant. This is reported by outgoing Minister of Justice and Security Dilan Yesilgöz (VVD).
Currently, the ‘vast majority’ of officers are ‘unable’ to distinguish between criminal and non-criminal substances, the police wrote in an impact analysis. “They now act on the basis of suspicions of a criminal offense, based on facts and circumstances.” This does not always provide sufficient grounds to proceed with further investigation, arrest and seizure.
Designer drugs
The Zeeland and West Brabant police force used test equipment on a trial basis with which officers – at small and medium-sized parties – can test on the spot whether prohibited substances are present. New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) can also be detected with this so-called ‘indicative substance test’. These substances are used for so-called ‘designer drugs’, which have the same effect as hard drugs such as ecstasy, cocaine or amphetamine. And sometimes even stronger than that.
The substances test by frontline officers leads to substances being seized ‘significantly more often’ than in other units, according to police analysis. Where the substance test is not yet in use (i.e. the rest of the Netherlands), there will now be no seizure after a search if it turns out that it concerns NPSs. At most, matters are then dealt with ‘administratively’ – for example if there is a violation of environmental legislation.
‘Reducing the threshold for making an arrest’
During a debate about tackling NPSs – by making entire groups of substances illegal – Yesilgöz called the trial with the substance test ‘a method that has proven to be effective’. “That is why we recently made money available from Justice and Security for an accelerated rollout across the other units.” 250 test devices have now been ordered, which will be delivered between now and the end of February. Officers are also trained to work with this equipment. “I thought it was great news,” says Yesilgöz.
The police further state that the use of testing equipment by officers reduces the threshold for arrest or seizure. “The number of times that can be repacked after the substance has been tested will then increase.” Especially if more substances will soon be banned.
The indicative substance test can also be used on the mail checking team, as many designer drugs are purchased online and delivered to people’s homes by post.