It’s that time of year again when there are explosions and that means there is a lot of illegal trading in fireworks. The police made a gigantic fireworks seizure of 1,700 kilos in Noordhoek on Thursday. In recent years, large quantities of illegal fireworks have been found in Brabant. An overview of the largest catches.
Truck with 5000 kilos of fireworks
Four years ago, a 23-year-old man was arrested on the A50 highway who was transporting almost 5,000 kilos of fireworks in a truck. The enormous amount of fireworks was found when the man stood along the road with a flat tire. A road inspector from Rijkswaterstaat came to the man’s aid. He discovered the boxes full of fireworks and alerted the police.
Two men arrested with 3,700 kilos of fireworks
About three years ago, officers found 3,700 kilos of illegal fireworks in a rented truck on the Hultenseweg in Tilburg. The truck was not returned to the rental company. When detectives saw the truck near some containers, they kept an eye on it. Two men took boxes of illegal fireworks out of the container to put them in the truck. The two men were arrested.
Warehouse full of 2200 kilos of fireworks
Four years ago, more than 2,200 kilos of fireworks were found in a warehouse on the Schijndelseweg in Sint-Oedenrode. The warehouse was rented to several companies and private individuals. The police discovered the fireworks during an administrative inspection. It is prohibited to store a large quantity of fireworks without informing the municipality, even if they are legal fireworks.
1700 kilos of fireworks from the dealer
Last year, around 1,700 kilos of fireworks were seized from a fireworks seller in the northeast of Brabant by the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate. Most of the fireworks were kept in a kind of bunker. The type of fireworks was permitted, but the trader had not provided them with the legally required labels. Inspectors also found 20 kilos of bang cords and twelve boxes single shotswhich are prohibited. The man has been arrested.
Garden shed with 1300 kilos of illegal fireworks
In 2017, the police found no less than 1,300 kilos of fireworks in a garden in Sint Willebrord. The resident thought it was a good idea to keep this in the shed in his garden. As a private individual you are not allowed to have such a huge amount. Moreover, the fireworks also turned out to be illegal.
More than 1100 kilos of illegal fireworks in van
Three years ago, dozens of boxes containing 1,100 kilos of illegal fireworks were found in a van in Cuijk. The police discovered the fireworks during a major traffic stop. A 21-year-old and a 20-year-old man who were on the bus were arrested.
5000 nitrates in a car
Last year, 5,000 nitrates were found in a car in Drunen. Nitrates are prohibited, especially in such large quantities. After the shipment of fireworks was discovered, the police arrested three men aged 18, 23 and 30. These men would sell the fireworks via social media, among other things.
