Increase in smaller motorcycle gangs in the Netherlands

The Dutch police report a rise in smaller outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMGs) after the ban on larger clubs like the Hells Angels, Satudarah, and No Surrender. Currently, there are 84 such groups, many formed by former members of the prohibited clubs.

These new gangs are described as more radical, with a higher proportion of members having criminal backgrounds. Despite a slight decrease in crimes associated with OMG members, these new groups are often involved in serious offenses such as drug trafficking and money laundering.

The police note that criminal members from rival clubs often collaborate, unlike in other countries where tensions are common. The emergence of more small clubs is expected, prompting the need for quicker intervention.

The Senate will soon review legislation granting the Minister for Legal Protection the authority to ban “subversive organizations.” Meanwhile, the outlawed clubs are expanding internationally, with new chapters in Spain and South America. In the Netherlands, the police suspect that Hells Angels, Satudarah, and No Surrender continue to operate underground.

Authorities stress the importance of maintaining focus on motorcycle club-related crime and call for continued efforts to shut down clubhouses. A court decision is expected early next month in a major drug case involving Satudarah’s cofounder and former members.

Source: NOS

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