A restaurant on Wiltzanghlaan in Nieuw-West was closed today by Mayor Halsema because it would be a ‘meeting point for drug dealing’. During a search, officers found drugs and a lot of money.
Police searched the property in late November last year due to an ongoing drug investigation. There were 23 visitors inside at the time. “A visitor had 45 pills with him, presumably methadone,” writes the municipality in the closing order. “None of the visitors were eating. The kitchen was not in use. The kitchen gave the impression that it had not been used for a long time.”
A few grams of cocaine were also found. Four visitors also had significant amounts of cash on them, and seven visitors had two mobile phones with them. According to the police, the building has been known for years as a meeting place for drug dealers, drug buyers and addicts. The drug dealers would use the building “as a sort of meeting place”.
Brand awareness
“The building’s reputation as an address where criminal activity is facilitated can be shattered by the closure,” says the municipality. “It also prevents the building from being used for the purpose of facilitating criminal activity. A less extensive alternative such as a warning is not suitable and does not have the same effect on public order as closing the building.”
This is an indefinite closure. Halsema says he will reopen the building “if, in my view, the closure is no longer necessary.”
