Amsterdam – To combat criminal interference in the transport sector of the Western Docklands of Amsterdam, the Transport Facilitated Organized Crime (TFOC) program organized action days on 12 and 13 April.
Sixty trucks and six delivery vans were checked during the action days. Three transport companies and nineteen inland vessels were also visited preventively. The checks led to more than twenty transport-related penalty reports. The police also encountered strong signals of criminal interference and various cases related to labor exploitation. A total of thirty-two information changes have been prepared for this purpose.
In addition to the police, the RIEC Amsterdam Amstelland, the Safe Business Platform, Customs, the Public Prosecution Service, the Dutch Labor Inspectorate and the Port of Amsterdam took part in the action days.
Prevention
Not only checks, but also the focus on prevention is an important part of the TFOC programme. For example, drivers and skippers drank ‘coffee with a cop’ during the action week. During these coffee moments – which took place at crucial points in the port area – the focus was mainly on raising awareness of the often facilitating role that the transport sector plays in criminal activities. A total of 75 prevention interviews were conducted.
Minister J&V visits action day
On Wednesday, April 12, the Minister of Justice and Security, Dilan Yesilgöz-Zegerius, visited the action day in the Port of Amsterdam. Among other things, the minister discussed the TFOC program and the 100% subversion checks on professional freight transport. Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius: ‘Every criminal needs transport. Transport companies are therefore sometimes unwittingly victimized and unknowingly transport large quantities of drugs in their cargo. The Transport Facilitated Organized Crime program helps to prevent this by making truck drivers aware of criminal abuse. In addition, they carry out actions to roll up underlying criminal networks. Impressive to see how this works.’
Program Transport Facilitated Organized Crime
The Netherlands is a transport hub for the entire world. Not only for legal, but also for illegal goods, such as drugs and weapons. As one government, we fight and prevent organized crime in the transport sector together with the transport sector. This is done under the banner of the Transport Facilitated Organized Crime (TFOC) program of the National Police Unit. Making drivers, entrepreneurs and other important players in the industry resilient against criminal interference is an important spearhead in the TFOC approach.
Serious Game: Operation Zelos
There is a lot going on in logistics that points to a visit from drug criminals. In the harbour, at the office and even outside your work. Do you recognize suspicious situations? Find out in the serious game Operation Zelos.
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Action week spokesperson: Amsterdam
Spokesperson Program TFOC: National Unit
Information source: Politie.nl
