NOS News•yesterday, 8:42 PM
The police have arrested a man who still owes the state 50 million euros in an old case. 53-year-old Ferenc J. came into the picture again when the police managed to crack encrypted chat messages between criminals in 2020. He turned out to be involved in a transport of 250 kilos of cocaine to Spain. The police arrested him today in the Utrecht municipality of Stichtse Vecht.
J. was sentenced to eight years in prison for drug trafficking in 2013. In the aftermath of that case, the court in Rotterdam sentenced him several years ago to pay the money he had collected through drug trafficking and extortion, approximately 50 million euros.
Luxury lifestyle
The police suspect that some of the criminally acquired money is still there. J. and his family live in a big way, according to the Public Prosecution Service. They lead a luxurious lifestyle, with high expenses for car rental, hotels, restaurants, cosmetic procedures and visits to major events, the Public Prosecution Service reports. He is said to have spent time alternately in the Netherlands, Spain and Dubai.
It is known from the previous criminal case against J. that the suspect does not transfer any assets in his own name and uses so-called cat catchers. He made most of his expenses in cash, the Public Prosecution Service suspects.
In 2012 he emerged as a victim in an extortion case against a Hells Angel and two other suspects. J. is said to have been extorted for 7.5 million euros and also had to give up some properties in Spain.
J. is now suspected of preparing drug transports, money laundering, firearms and drug possession. His 52-year-old ex-partner from Amstelveen has also been arrested. She is only suspected of money laundering.
