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Actualiteiten

07

okt
2016

In Actualiteiten

Door - Tom Gijsberts

Tourists visiting Amsterdam Dance Event should read this

On 07, okt 2016 | In Actualiteiten | Door - Tom Gijsberts

As the 2016 edition of Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) will take place from October 19th-23rd, tourists visiting this event should know that the Dutch authorities regularly visit partygoers to see whether they possess drugs. Last year, 262 persons have been arrested on drug-related charges around ADE. Therefore, it is important to know what is and what isn’t allowed in the Netherlands.

Drugs

Unlike what most people believe, all drugs (including weed) are illegal in the Netherlands. However, in general you won’t be prosecuted if you are caught with a small amount of drugs for your own use, unless you’re under the age of 18 years (sale of drugs is forbidden under any circumstances and regardless of the amount sold).

In the Netherlands, a small amount of drugs is considered to be:

  • For drugs that come in pills (XTC, 2CB etc.): 1 pill or less
  • For drugs that come as powder (cocaine, speed, MDMA etc.): 0,5 grams or less
  • For drugs that come as a liquid (GHB etc.): 5 ml or less
  • Weed: 5 grams or less

At the time of writing, 4FA/4FMP is not yet considered to be drugs in the Netherlands, which means possession is not illegal.

Amsterdam operates a more lenient policy regarding drugs that come in pills. If you are caught with 5 pills or less, you won’t be prosecuted. The rules regarding liquid drugs and drugs in powder-form are the same as on the national level.

When you are arrested

If you get caught carrying drugs in amounts that fall under the limitations as set out above, odds are the drugs will be confiscated and you are free to go. However, if you are transferred to the police for interrogation, it is important to know that you always have the right to consult a lawyer before you talk to the police.

Waiving this right could have severe consequences: you can not at a later stage withdraw a statement you’ve made. Furthermore, it often happens that the police or prosecutor offers perpetrators a fine to avoid being brought before a court. This may come across as a tempting offer. However, accepting the fine means that you have a criminal record, which could affect your future odds of finding a job or – for example – prevent you from being allowed to enter the United States. Moreover, the fine offered by the police or prosecutor is often considerably higher than the fine that would be imposed by a judge for the same amount of drugs.

Therefore, it is important that you consult a lawyer before you talk to the police. If you are arrested on drug-related charges, or any other crime, you can consult the lawyers of Meijers Canatan Advocaten free of charge.

 

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