Dutch authorities have seized more than 3.3 tons of cocaine during a major police operation in the town of Standaardbuiten, located in the southern province of North Brabant. The large-scale bust, carried out by the National Investigation Unit, marks one of the country’s most significant narcotics seizures in recent months.
Eight individuals have been arrested in connection with the operation, including a 50-year-old Bulgarian citizen. Others detained reportedly hail from Colombia, Morocco, and the United Kingdom. Officials said the arrests took place following a coordinated raid at a commercial site in Standaardbuiten earlier this week.
Following the initial operation, investigators conducted additional searches at three properties in Breda and one in Roosendaal. These searches led to the discovery of further evidence believed to be tied to the smuggling ring, including a firearm found on one of the premises.
The Dutch Public Prosecution Service confirmed that the investigation was launched after receiving intelligence from a foreign agency, though it did not specify which country provided the information. Authorities described the tip as “crucial” in enabling Dutch police to track the movement of the narcotics and coordinate the raid.
The cocaine, estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of euros on the street, was likely intended for distribution across Europe. Police sources suggested that the smuggling operation may be linked to an international criminal network with established routes connecting South America to European ports.
Local media outlet crimesite.nl reported that the raid in Standaardbuiten was the culmination of months of surveillance and intelligence-sharing between Dutch investigators and their foreign counterparts. The operation is part of a broader national effort to curb large-scale drug trafficking through the Netherlands, a key entry point for narcotics entering Europe.
A spokesperson for the National Police said that all eight suspects are currently being held for questioning. “This is a significant blow to an international network involved in large-scale cocaine trafficking,” the spokesperson stated. “Our investigation will continue to identify additional links and collaborators both domestically and abroad.”
Authorities are now working to determine the precise origin of the cocaine shipment and the full extent of the network’s European operations. Forensic analysis and financial tracking are expected to play key roles in uncovering the organization’s infrastructure.
The Dutch prosecutor’s office emphasized that further arrests could follow as the investigation expands. Officials reaffirmed their commitment to international cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking, calling the latest bust “a strong example of joint action against organized crime.”
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