Meth is lucrative as a secondary trade but MDMA (XTC) is still king here.


To understand what lies behind the production of an ecstasy pill, let's go back to the beginning. Freek: “The raw material for an ecstasy pill comes from China. This usually comes to the Netherlands in bulk packaging via sea freight or air freight, of course well hidden or disguised as something else. From a storage location they then take the raw material to a drug laboratory, where the raw material is converted into the end product MDMA. Such a laboratory is often set up in a shed or shed, located in a rural area. Here, the strong aniseed smell that arises during the production process is not easily noticed.

Research shows that on average one in five farmers in Brabant has been approached by drug criminals to rent out an empty barn or stable. They mainly visit farmers who are experiencing vacancies or financial problems, because they desperately need the money and are expected to agree more quickly. Fortunately, most farmers say no.