Financial Crime World

Financial Crime Threat Assessment: The Netherlands 2023-24

Arms Trafficking: A Growing Concern in the Netherlands

Arms trafficking has emerged as a significant financial crime threat in the Netherlands. According to a recent assessment by the Dutch Banking Association, this illicit activity involves the import, export, and sale of firearms across national borders, often with the intention of evading sanctions.

Characteristics of Arms Trafficking in the Netherlands:

  • The Netherlands is a major hub for international trade, making it an attractive location for arms traffickers.
  • The country’s strategic geographic location and numerous transport hubs make it an entry point for international arms smugglers.
  • The illegal arms trade is often linked to sanction evasion, as firearms can be traded without hindrance across European Union borders.

Modus Operandi:

  • Arms are often sourced from Germany, Belgium, and Balkan countries, with a significant proportion of recycled and 3D-printed weapons entering the market.
  • Traffickers use parcel packages and road transport to smuggle arms into the country, storing them in storage boxes.
  • A new trend is the use of parcel shipments from abroad, often ordered through the darknet.

Extent of the Threat:

  • According to estimates by the Small Arms Survey, more than 230,000 illegal firearms circulated in the Netherlands in 2017, with police statistics showing over 4,250 cases of illicit possession and trade that year.
  • By the end of 2021, this number had increased to over 6,500 cases, translating to approximately 37.9 cases per 100,000 population.

Conclusion:

Arms trafficking is a significant financial crime threat in the Netherlands, with the country’s strategic location and international trade hub status making it an attractive location for smugglers. Efforts are needed to disrupt these illegal networks and prevent the flow of illegal weapons into the country.

Recommendations:

  • Effective law enforcement
  • Cooperation between countries
  • Public awareness campaigns

Sources:

  • Global Initiative against Transnational Organised Crime (2023)
  • The Netherlands Country Financial Crime Dashboard (2022) – Financial Crime News
  • Europol (2022) – EU’s priorities for the fight against serious and organised crime for EMPACT 2022-2024
  • Universiteit Leiden (2022) – The Way of the Gun: Firearm trafficking and its impact on violence in the Netherlands
  • National Risk Assessment Witwassen (2019) – WODC
  • Nationaal Dreigingsbeeld (2017) – Politie