Bomb attacks such as those in Winschoten and Pekela are often carried out with illegal fireworks that are simply produced in Europe.
‘Flash powder’ was mainly used in the 358 explosions that took place at business premises and homes in the Netherlands until August this year, says police spokesman Robbert Salome. This flash powder is an explosive used in Cobra fireworks. It works like a hand grenade: very explosive and explodes at the slightest spark. Not only revolving door criminals, but also serious organized crime – through young errand boys – uses this cobbled together Cobra ammunition.
In July, the police expected that the number of incidents involving explosions would double in 2023 compared to the number in 2022 (when there were 303 explosions). Salome: “So with 358 at the end of August we are on a collision course.”
‘Pyro is not a crime’
Easily available flash powder is one of the reasons for this. They come in all kinds. From the classic Cobra 6 to whoppers such as the ‘Cobra 20’. The fireworks are banned in the Netherlands, but are made legally in Europe. There is a factory in Italy. For enthusiasts, it is quite easy to obtain them through numerous web shops, such as a Czech one with the slogan ‘Pyro is not a crime’ .
Actually, the police can’t do much about it, says Salome. “There is free movement of goods in Europe. It is possible that an order is intercepted, but that is of course not necessary. A few years ago we received the order lists from Polish web shops. Those online stores were then closed down, but as it goes, people start new ones again the next day.”
There is actually no starting point, says Salome. “What we would like is clear European legislation.”
National team
At the beginning of this year, a national police information hub for incidents involving illegal firearms and explosives was set up. They must ensure that there is an even better picture of where the incidents take place and which explosives or firearms are used.
It is expected that flash powder was also used in the recent attacks in Winschoten, Pekela and Groningen. Although the Northern Netherlands Police does not want to confirm this. “That is information that you want to confront perpetrators with in an interrogation,” explains spokesperson Thijs Damstra. “But in the photos and videos Investigation Requested you can see what an enormous impact the explosions have: as much as a hand grenade.”