Houman E. (30) is, in the eyes of the justice system, the second ringleader of an internationally operating hemp organization, which operated from Beek. The ironmonger from Obbicht allegedly led a criminal group.

This is according to information from L1. Houman worked very closely with Dejvi G. (37), the other main suspect in the case, according to the justice department.

Second Chapter

Justice rolled up a large Albanian drug operation in Geleen and the surrounding area in May 2019. It yielded 33 suspects. That investigation eventually led to a new investigation. The new file was opened in November 2019 and renamed Unakiet. Not entirely coincidentally, there was again an Albanian connection.

Syrian organization

At the time, Dejvi G. had just opened a car dealership in Beek and the Albanian town of Lushnjë. That set off alarm bells. After all, Dejvi, Tony for intimates, was an acquaintance of the leading figures in the earlier Albanian investigation. Investigative agencies hung his business in Beek, Alba Car, full of bugging equipment.

They soon caught sight of a group of Albanian suspects. As a by-catch, investigators also discovered a second organization, a hodgepodge of Iraqis, Dutch and especially Syrians.

Criminal organization

Houman E. allegedly heads the 'Syrian' group. By the way, he himself has no connection to Syria; he has Iranian roots and lives in Obbicht, where he also runs his hardware store. His lawyer Francoise Landerloo confirms that he is suspected of leading a criminal organization and possessing, trading and exporting hemp. She would not comment further on the case.

Encrypted messages

Dejvi and Houman met frequently at Alba Car and recorded their criminal dealings there. So that was all overheard by the Justice Department. On top of that, many suspects used the cracked chat service EncroChat. Thanks to the cracking of those encrypted messages, the mutual ties became even clearer to the investigation services.

Hemp premises sought

"The organization tried to find premises, suitable for the cultivation of hemp, in the Netherlands. These were then rented, often using false ID and incorrect data," a justice spokeswoman informed. "The energy contract was also usually concluded with a false ID. Then a hemp plantation was set up in it."

Brother-in-law arrested

On Oct. 22, police raided different places and even different countries. It led to 14 arrests. Four people were arrested in the Netherlands. Among them was Houman. His right-hand man was arrested in Lanaken and is now also detained in the Netherlands. Dejvi's 35-year-old brother-in-law has also been arrested, confirms his lawyer Suzanne Kurvers.

Not a fugitive

Dejvi himself is still a free man. "Client has not yet been arrested and has not come forward," says attorney Gitte Stevens. She emphasizes that he is not a fugitive. "That would mean he would have fled from something, or from something. That is not the case." The remand of the suspects who do remain in custody has been extended by 30 days.