Trend Organised crime gaining undermining influence

Summary

The report finds that organised crime has gained greater influence over Dutch society and the rule of law in recent years. Signs of this include more frequent violence, assassinations and intimidation, and those who commission crimes appear to be taking an increasingly menacing approach. Violence is spreading beyond the criminal underworld itself, and key figures in the justice process face heavy pressure and threats. Criminal networks increasingly form part of international organisations operating across borders, and they are agile structures that exploit international weaknesses. The report places these changes within a broader blurring of lines between state threats, crime and extremism, as described by the AIVD security service.