Replies

The Netherlands: Champion of drugs
De Telegraaf, 27 february 2002

AMSTERDAM - the Netherlands is worldwide the biggest producer of the hard-drugs xtc and amphetamine. This became evident from a, for the Netherlands, very negative report about last year that was presented yesterday in Vienna by the United Nations.

The Netherlands has the doubtful honor to be the biggest xtc-producing country in the world. The UN-investigationbureau, the International Narcotics Board (INCB) states in this report to be 'concerned' and 'shocked' that the Netherlands remains the biggest producer, even though the many attempts made by enforcement agencies to stop the xtc-producing gangs.

The UN-organization included in their report the offensive against these xtc-producing gangs that the Dutch authorities mounted last year. The Dutch government did spend 200 million gulden (91 million Euro) to fight these gangs, but it doesn't praise this in any way. The INCB also calls on the Dutch authorities to work closely together with China, to counter the smuggling of xtc-base ingredients to West Europe.

McDope

Also the massive production of amphetamine and the declining numbers of amphetamine-catches troubles the UN. 'Like in the previous years the Netherlands remains the biggest producer of amphetamine, the INCB reports.

Only second to Spain, the Netherlands are the biggest importer of cocaine from South America and the Caribbean from whole West and East Europe.

Also the enormous Dutch supply of cannabisseeds with a dangerously high THC-level through the internet, is concerning the UN. "The Dutch authorities do not seem to have a legal instrument to stop this. This is troubling the International Narcotics Control Board much', is a warning addressed to the Dutch authorities.

Accusations from the UN-organization in its report are addressed to the citycouncil of Venlo that has a worldwide known 'McDope' (a drive-inn drugstore) in its outskirts. The UN seems to be very angered about this store: 'This is a sing that the authorities are actively involved in organizing the distribution of cannabis'.