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Suspected of drug trafficking

You are suspected of drug trafficking. That word can encompass different behaviors. Discuss which substance, action, period and own involvement are blamed before drawing conclusions about the case.

Duration: 1:39

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This video summarises the main points. The full article provides more detail, exceptions and official sources. This information does not replace advice about your case.

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Criminal Law in the Netherlands.

You are suspected of drug trafficking. That word can encompass different behaviors. Discuss which substance, action, period and own involvement are blamed before drawing conclusions about the case.

Ask what facts your involvement is based on. Presence, possession and an accusation of trafficking are not simply the same. Have the individual components reviewed with your lawyer.

A quantity from prosecution policy is not a general exemption. A larger quantity does not automatically prove every accusation. The substance, actions and other circumstances remain relevant.

Discuss how messages, amounts of money and found items are explained. Check origin and context. A striking fragment can take on a different meaning when the entire material is viewed.

Do not delete messages or change or hide objects to influence the investigation. Discuss with your lawyer how original data and relevant information are carefully preserved.

Create a factual timeline and note uncertainties. Discuss available documents, your approach to the process and possible additional research. Don't let the case be judged on just a generic label like drug trafficking.

Read the full explanation on the Criminal Law in the Netherlands website.

Understand the supporting sources

Sources and supporting information

Here you can find the sources for this page. Open the original publication for the full explanation, conditions and exceptions.

  1. OM: Opium Act Directive list I and list IA (2025R005), effective July 7, 2025Opens in a new tabom.nlhttps://www.om.nl/onderwerpen/b/beleidsregels/richtlijnen-voor-strafvordering-resultaten/richtlijn-voor-strafvordering-opiumwet-lijst-i-en-lijst-ia-2025r005
  2. OM: Opium Act Guideline for soft drugs (2023R003), policy and professional cultivationOpens in a new tabom.nlhttps://www.om.nl/onderwerpen/b/beleidsregels/richtlijnen-voor-strafvordering-resultaten/richtlijn-voor-strafvordering-opiumwet-softdrugs-2023r003
  3. OM: Instruction Opium Act (2015A003), general prosecution policy, to be read with current legislationOpens in a new tabom.nlhttps://www.om.nl/onderwerpen/b/beleidsregels/aanwijzingen/algemeen/aanwijzing-opiumwet-2015a003
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