Dutch taxpayers spend over €2 million cleaning up drug waste from illegal production

Dutch taxpayers have spent more than 2.1 million euros this year on cleaning up sites contaminated with chemical waste from illegal drug production, with over 1.3 million euros in subsidies already granted to cover the costs, according to an analysis by the NPO Radio 1 program Het Misdaadbureau of PowNed.

The figures come from BIJ12, the organization that handles provincial subsidy applications for drug waste removal. The total costs are expected to rise, as requests submitted in December have not yet been included.

Starting January 2026, the provincial subsidy system will end. Under the new arrangement, municipalities will be responsible for cleaning up drug waste and can claim reimbursement through a new reporting office.

Dumped chemical waste frequently appears in natural areas and on the outskirts of towns and cities. Groningen accounted for the largest single expense after a massive dumping in Oude Pekela, which cost more than 500,000 euros to clean.

Zuid-Holland follows closely, with over 480,000 euros spent on removals in Dordrecht and Berkel en Rodenrijs. Noord-Brabant, often stereotyped as a drug hotspot, ranks third with nearly 450,000 euros in cleanup costs, particularly in Heijningen and the vicinity of Bergeijk.

Femke van de Plas of ZLTO, the association for farmers and growers, stressed the importance of a smooth transition. “There must be no wrangling between the municipality and the landowner over who pays, because these are private individuals who, through no fault of their own, find drug waste dumped on their property by a criminal network. They shouldn’t have to deal with complications, so this must be carefully monitored. There should also be no differences between municipalities,” she said.