The risk of subversion in Hoogeveen is high, while there is insufficient insight into criminal practices and efforts to combat it are inadequate. This is stated by the Audit Committee. She calls the current picture ‘disturbing’.
Two leading agencies have conducted research into undermining in Hoogeveen on behalf of the independent Court of Audit. In this form of organized crime, the underworld and the upper world become intertwined. This can (seriously) affect safety and quality of life in society.
The final report is harsh in its assessment of the municipal fight against undermining. According to the Court of Audit, this approach is inadequate. Hoogeveen appears to be particularly susceptible to undermining through drug trafficking, cannabis cultivation and real estate.
Sensitive to criminal practices
The researchers note that regulations, enforcement and control in this municipality are at too low a level. The vast, fragmented area is sensitive to criminal practices. There are many remote or easily protected locations or buildings, such as industrial estates, recreational parks, farms and warehouses.
In that respect, the extensive report almost reads as an invitation to malicious parties to expand their operating area to this region.
“It is easy for criminals to make money from subversive activities in Hoogeveen,” says Audit Chamber Chairman Arie Teeuw. “Drug trafficking, cannabis cultivation and real estate fraud are significant in this municipality. The examples are in the report. As a board you have to work on that.”
Recruitment practices
Another point of concern is that economic and social disadvantages make vulnerable residents more susceptible to criminal recruitment practices, which, according to the researchers, also occur in the local asylum seeker center.
“The chance of being caught is small and drug income is welcome in poor streets and neighborhoods,” says Teeuw. “The police came up with an example of a 17-year-old boy who could earn 60,000 euros in a day as a drug courier. Are you still going to work at McDonald’s?”
Drug trafficking
Between 2018 and 2022, the police in the municipality of Hoogeveen registered 70 cases of hard drug trafficking and 43 cases of soft drug trafficking. The image is that dozens of drug traffickers are active every day.
Furthermore, within Southwest Drenthe, more than half of the thefts from shops, vehicles and bicycles and mopeds occur in the municipality of Hoogeveen. In addition, there were 178 car and vehicle fires in four years.
‘Shaky’
According to the Court of Audit, Hoogeveen does not have a good information position when it comes to subversive crime. “The organizational basis of the municipal safety policy – and within it the approach to undermining – is shaky and is reaching strict limits,” says Audit Chamber chairman Arie Teeuw. “That is worrying.”
The Court of Audit ‘strongly’ advises the municipal council to give priority to tackling municipal drug trafficking, to properly regulate and enforce the rental of homes and rooms and to have more influence on industrial estates.
Firefighting
“The police recognize the incident-driven approach,” says Auditor Member Lydia Zwier. “But an integrated approach, involving multiple agencies, is lacking. Now fires are being extinguished, while the fires are not being tackled.”
The report pays special attention to the car trade, into which ‘in-depth research’ has been conducted. Hoogeveen has a striking number of car companies, almost twice as many as the national average. It also appears that a lot of money is involved. When it comes to undermining, the industry is considered ‘risky’.
‘Possibly shady’
More than 300 car companies were examined to determine to what extent these companies are findable, visible and professional. Provisional conclusion: almost half scored unsatisfactory on this. According to the researchers, this indicates that almost half of the car companies in the municipality of Hoogeveen may be shady.
The researchers note that there is insufficient insight into the automotive industry, especially the smaller companies. To get to grips with this, there must be more clarity about the actions of owners, people who visit car companies and the network around them. The investigation into the car industry is not yet finished. “We are still waiting for some police files,” says Teeuw.
Explanation and debate
According to the chairman, the wish for the Court of Audit’s investigation into subversive crime was high on the municipal council’s list. The municipal council will receive an explanation of the report on September 21. It will be debated a week later.
How was research done?
During the investigation into undermining in Hoogeveen, (group) interviews were conducted with 43 municipal officials, a conversation was held with mayor Karel Loohuis and a group discussion was held with eight council factions. There were also discussions with five police officers and two experts in the field of organized crime. The police have provided information about registered drug crime, registered (car) fires and property crimes. Information from various files was also used.