The police have picked five drug dealers off the street in Roosendaal. These are twenty-somethings who still live at home, but live a luxurious life and are full of money. The police were also surprised. Every dealer had a Rolex or other expensive brand. They have lost that now. The police, Public Prosecution Service (OM) and the municipality hope that they will eventually lose their status as dealers.
No white Christmas. That was the name of the week of action that started on Monday. Five dealers were arrested this week, and the police took action in the Westrand district, among others. The dealers had a total of 36,410 euros in their pockets. And small amounts of heroin, coke and hashish.
It is the first time that Roosendaal has picked dealers off the street to this extent. “Dealers can get their money’s worth,” says Mayor Han van Midden. He warns that this action was not a one-off.
Luxury sweater
What was striking were the very expensive clothes and bags from Louis Vuitton and Gucci, among others, that officers found at suspects’ homes. Often with the price tags still attached. The police showed on Thursday what they had seized. “Look, this sweater,” says a surprised Inspector Nienke from the Roosendaal police team. “1100 euros is on the label. 1100 euros!”
Officers also found weapons on the suspects, such as brass knuckles, electroshock weapons, pellet guns and a blackjack. No firearms.
Lively trading
“There is a lively street trade here,” says the mayor with some annoyance in his voice. “It happens from cars and scooters.”
To know who exactly they needed, the police, Public Prosecution Service and the municipality first mapped everyone out. “We had tips about reporting crime anonymously, but also other information,” says Inspector Nienke. “After that it was mainly observing people. Unobtrusively. We saw transfers. We saw people getting in on street corners.”
Daddy and Mommy
If there was enough evidence, the police intervened. “Then the door just opened,” says Inspector Nienke. The suspect was then arrested at home with mom and dad and other family members. Seven homes were visited.
According to the police inspector, some parents reacted with surprise to the raid. Others seemed mainly concerned with the luxury items that the police confiscated. Even more so than with the son of the house who was put in handcuffs.
Wind grabbers
Everything indicates that the suspects have no clear income or work. They are ‘wind eaters’. “We found an expensive watch in every house. If you don’t have a Rolex, you apparently don’t belong. With this we want to destroy their status. They are still boys. We want to prevent them from moving on to crime.”
The twenty cellphones that the police took away were significant. They were full of customer numbers. “We are still going to read that. Those customers will receive a message from us.”
Mayor Han van Midden reacts with satisfaction and pride to the first results that were announced on Thursday. He is also annoyed by ‘boys in inexplicably expensive cars.’ It is what has become known as the ‘Golden Escalator’. Youth who enrich themselves and allow themselves to be taken up the criminal ladder.
Status
Like several other cities, Roosendaal receives millions in support from The Hague to dismantle that golden escalator, with all kinds of social projects at schools, among others. To prevent worse. Just as attempts are now being made to affect the suspects’ criminal status.
Van Midden would like to say that his city is not a complete ‘Sin City’. “You can also live here very nicely.”