Wednesday, 1
January 2025 - 21:10
300 kilos
of illegal fireworks seized in Winterswijk residential area; two arrested
Dutch police
discovered 300 kilograms of illegal fireworks in a residential neighborhood in
Winterswijk on New Year's Eve, leading to two arrests and intense local
concern. The find, classified as explosives by authorities, has prompted the
mayor to consider drastic measures, including the closure of the suspects'
homes.
The two
suspects, a 22-year-old and a 38-year-old from Winterswijk, were arrested and
taken to the arrest complex in Borne. Authorities confiscated several vehicles
in connection with the illegal fireworks, which were all transported for
further investigation.
Winterswijk
Mayor Joris Bengevoord expressed his shock and anger following the incident.
"I am deeply shocked by this," he said in a statement. "Storing
such a large quantity of fireworks in a residential area is unacceptable, and
we cannot tolerate it. I will do everything possible to take strong action,
including exploring the possibility of closing the homes involved."
"One
can only imagine the potential disaster if a fire had broken out in one of
these homes. That tragedy has been avoided today," Bengevoord added. The
investigation into the fireworks' origin and the suspects' intentions
continues.
The
fireworks were uncovered during a routine inspection of car-based fireworks
displays on Nieuw Beusinkweg early Tuesday morning. Police observed
professional-grade shells being fired, an action prohibited outside of
regulated events. Following the discovery, further checks of nearby vehicles
revealed a large stash of illegal fireworks, including linked Cobra fireworks
known for their destructive power.
Police
sealed off the street in a 100-meter radius for safety as Explosives Safety
Teams were called to assist. Investigations led to the seizure of fireworks
from five cars, prompting a larger search. In one of the suspects' homes,
authorities found the 300 kilograms of dangerous fireworks.
The mayor’s
frustration stems from a similar incident last year, when 300 kilograms of
fireworks were discovered in a shed in another residential area. "I cannot
understand why people do this. Illegal fireworks may seem fun, but they are
incredibly dangerous and must not be tolerated," Bengevoord said.
A police
spokesperson noted the seriousness of the find, calling it a case of
explosives, and praised the swift response by officers. Authorities have yet to
determine what the suspects intended to do with the linked Cobra fireworks, but
the situation could have escalated quickly.
Sem comentários:
Enviar um comentário