Netherlands European leader in dismantling drug labs

BRUSSELS (ANP) – Not only as an importer of cocaine, but also as a producer of numerous other drugs, the Netherlands is one of the leaders in Europe. According to the report, the Netherlands is a hub in the European trade of MDMA, and Europe, in turn, is an important player in the global MDMA market.

With nearly forty of over ninety labs found in Europe for the production of speed (amphetamine), the Netherlands also ranked at the top in that category. Almost all production sites for heroin (ten out of fourteen) have also been shut down here. In terms of the number of dismantled meth labs (methamphetamine), the Netherlands ranked second with 29 locations.

The agency also reports that several large seizures of chemical substances used for the production of speed, meth, and MDMA have been made in the Netherlands and Hungary. Additionally, the Netherlands accounted for nearly three-quarters of all seized ketamine.

The EUDA report further expresses concerns about the increased use of designer drugs, such as 4-MMC or 3-CMC. The total seizure of these drugs in Europe was still 4.5 tons in 2021. In two years, that increased to 37 tons, a large portion of which was traded through the Netherlands. Eight production sites were also shut down here, leaving the Netherlands behind the leader Poland (forty). The EUDA notes that fewer new designer drugs are emerging each year, but overall use is increasing.

2023 marked the seventh consecutive year that a record amount of cocaine was intercepted in Europe. There were 95,000 cocaine discoveries, amounting to 419 tons of cocaine. After Belgium and Spain, the most cocaine was found in the Netherlands.

The report also warns of the increased use of nitazenes in Europe. The dangerous painkillers significantly contributed to the number of fatal overdoses in Estonia and Latvia. For the Netherlands, there are no specific figures regarding nitazenes for 2023. The Dutch police reported making the first seizures here last year.

(June 5, 2025)