The Public Prosecution Service demanded a seven-year prison sentence at the Amsterdam court on Friday against 21-year-old KH from Hilversum for international arms trafficking. According to the judiciary, the trade was a revenue model for the man, characterized by a desire for status, money and criminal opportunities.
(Image from archive)
The suspect ordered slide groups, suitable for Glock brand handguns, in the United States. He ordered other Glock parts for a complete firearm – cases and cartridge holders – from an Austrian arms dealer. The suspect bought weapon parts for more than 200,000 euros in 2022 and 2023. The orders were collected by accomplices at various parcel points in the Netherlands.
DNA match
The Public Prosecution Service accuses the man of having helped put these firearms into circulation through his professional trade. Firearms were found in six cases that could be linked to the 21-year-old suspect via a DNA match or serial number.
Aalsmeer
The suspect was arrested in July 2023 during a new attempt to purchase parts for firearms. Firearm parts and ammunition were found by the police in his home. 118 weapon parts and 328 live cartridges were also found in a shed at a house in Aalsmeer.
Expensive penthouse
According to the Public Prosecution Service, the suspect worked in a planned and organized manner. ‘His role in the trade was major. The suspect was a spider in the web,” the prosecutors said. KH also earned well from the arms trade. ‘Criminal (weapon) income helped the suspect to become independent of his parents, government, work and education. He lived in an expensive penthouse in Hilversum, ordered food every day and rented a Mercedes,” the Public Prosecution Service said.
Vulnerable young people
Particularly vulnerable young people were used as accomplices. ‘The suspect used willing or dependent young people and minors to help him in his criminal offenses: to collect, transport, secure weapons or to make payments via their bank account.’ According to prosecutors, the main goal was to earn quick money from crime.
The court will make its ruling on April 19.
