The Albanian drug network that was busted last year made millions from large hemp plantations in various locations in the province.
This is according to information from L1. The Albanians alone earned 1.8 million euros a year from three large plantations.
Four thousand plants
One such plantation was set up in a shed on Oslo Street in Sittard and counted 1,344 plants, while 1,769 plants were found in a building on Rijksweg in Heel. The third large plantation lifted the total number to over four thousand plants.
Hemp Factories
Justice describes the huge plantations as "hemp factories" and speaks of large-scale crime. According to prosecutor Peter Huttenhuis, the drug farmers were able to earn nearly two million a year from the three plantations. It didn't stop with those three factories either; dozens of plantations were cleared that were run by the Albanians.
Dozens of suspects
In the extensive drug case, 33 people are suspected. Until recently, six suspects were in pretrial detention, but they were released on Feb. 14. Meanwhile, several extras have already been tried separately. They play a smaller role in the whole in the eyes of the justice system. On May 12, the case of the alleged protagonists will again be briefly heard by the court.
Small players
Hamza M. (29) was one of the small cogs in the extensive drug network and immediately one of the few pawns not from Albania. He brought cash money to the Geleen payment company Europrofex to pay the rent of hemp properties. According to lawyer Justin Luiten, Hamza did not know there were plantations in those premises and had no knowledge of criminal activities at all. The judge agreed with him and acquitted the Moroccan suspect earlier this year.
Twenty euros
Such extras, according to the justice system, ensured that larger fish remained off camera for years. Hamza did get caught on camera with lead actor Haxhi P. (35) and stated to police that he made payments on behalf of two other Albanian suspects. They themselves did not get their hands dirty. Hamza received twenty euros per transaction for the trouble.
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