Relief for a family with five children, three of whom are minors: they can continue to live in their house on the Fitissingel in Deurne for the time being. Last year, mayor Greet Buter of the municipality of Deurne had decided that their home would be locked for three months. Drugs, among other things, had been found.
The Council of State believes that the mayor has gone too far: she should have taken the interests of the family more into account. For example, she could have given the main resident a warning or a penalty (kind of fine).
The court in Den Bosch agreed with Buter. The children’s mother then went to the Council of State, because closing the home in the short term would have major consequences for her and her children. This is a provisional ruling. The Council of State will assess this year whether Buter had sufficient reasons to take her far-reaching measure.
Drugs and money
The house was searched on April 2 last year. The police found almost 4 kilos of drugs in the garage and more than 8,000 euros in cash in various places in the house. They were under a mattress in a bedroom, in a closet and in a safe.
According to a local police officer, it was a long-term investigation into money laundering. Four people were arrested during the action. In addition to the house that Buter wanted to close, another home on the Fitissingel was also raided. A firearm, pepper spray and a batch of narcotics were found spread across the two houses. Furthermore, four vehicles and a large amount of money were seized. The fact that the arrested people were ‘living beyond their means’ was one of the reasons for the investigation, according to the local police officer in Deurne.
‘Far-reaching consequences’
Closing the house could have had far-reaching consequences for the family: they were unable to find alternative housing in the short term. This could mean that father, mother and children had to be cared for in other places. Extra difficult for them is the fact that two children have a metabolic disease, for which they take medication and follow a strict diet. The Council of State took this seriously.
Furthermore, the highest legal body takes into account its decision that a family friend, who had hidden a large part of the drugs in the garage, is no longer welcome in the home. The main resident has also lived there for twenty years and has no criminal record.
Earlier this week, then mayor Maarten Houben of the municipality of Nuenen was also reprimanded. He also wanted to send a signal that action was being taken against drugs, but like Buter, he too made a mistake in the eyes of the Council of State.
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