the maximum sentences for drug offenses will increase

The maximum penalties for drug offenses will increase, according to a government bill. The proposal increases the maximum prison sentence for hard drug smuggling from 12 to 16 years.

The penalty for possession of hard drugs will be increased from 6 to 8 years. It must then be related to “bulk size” and therefore not user size. The maximum prison sentence for hard drug trafficking will increase from 8 to 12 years.

The government’s reasoning is that the Netherlands must be as unattractive as possible for drug criminals. “Drug criminals know no borders and are a direct threat to our society, our rule of law and our security,” said Justice Minister Van Weel. “Drug trafficking is the revenue model for organized crime . We want to break this revenue model.”

With the increase in penalties, Dutch policy is “more in line” with that of neighboring countries. The government believes the new maximum limits will make it easier for the Public Prosecution Service and judges to request and impose “appropriate sentences”.

According to the government, the Public Prosecution Service and judges regularly reach the maximum limit for sentences and sentences, especially in the most dangerous category of drug offenders. The old penalty for many drug offenses dates back to 1976.