Dutch police have arrested 34 suspects following a drug-related shooting in a small town in the eastern part of the country, which resulted in the death of a security guard and injuries to two police officers. The incident occurred in Overasselt, a village near the German border, early Tuesday morning.
Regional police chief Jolanda Aalbers told reporters that a "large group" of masked individuals opened fire at around 4:00 AM (02:00 GMT) when police arrived at a house to investigate reports of suspicious activity. The officers were met with immediate gunfire, creating a highly dangerous and traumatic situation.
During the shootout, a 51-year-old security guard was killed, and two police officers sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Aalbers praised the officers' bravery, stating, "When the first police unit arrived at the scene, shots were fired immediately. That was an incredibly traumatic incident. They had to rescue their colleagues and get them to safety. I have tremendous respect for what they did."
Authorities seized several weapons, data storage devices, and vehicles at the scene. The arrested suspects include individuals from the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Algeria, according to regional prosecutors. They indicated that the shooting may be linked to a "long-running" conflict, as the same house had been targeted by gunfire a dozen times in a single incident last year, for which two people were convicted.
Local media have connected the incident to the criminal underworld of Dutch drug lord Jos Leijdekkers, also known as "Bolle Jos" ("Fat Jos"). Leijdekkers, one of the Netherlands' most wanted criminals, was previously convicted for his role in international cocaine trafficking.
Dutch Minister of Justice and Security David van Weel praised the police's swift response to the "life-threatening situation" and condemned the "horrific act of violence." In a post on X, he confirmed the 34 arrests and stated that the investigation is ongoing. The shooting highlights ongoing issues with drug-related violence in the region, raising concerns about public safety and the effectiveness of law enforcement efforts.
Source: www.aljazeera.com