A house on the B. van der Helststraat in Meppel is closed for three months by order of the mayor. A few weeks ago, hard drugs were found at a raid in that house.
According to the municipality, it was a so -called trade quantity. There is a commercial amount if more than half a grams of drugs are found. With soft drugs that is five grams. The police also found firearm during the raid.
“The presence of drugs and a weapon ensures an unsafe situation in the area. This type of activities affects the quality of life and is a risk for local residents,” says Mayor Arjen Maathuis. A mayor may temporarily close a house or another building if certain amounts of drugs are found.
According to Maathuis, the measure must prevent drug trafficking. He points out that drug crime is often difficult to recognize. There are, however, different signals that people can recognize, such as the coming and going of people at strange times. The same applies, for example, to a strong, chemical air around a house.