The Netherlands, celebrated for its drug decriminalization policies, is experiencing a disturbing increase in youth recruitment into organized crime. One major factor exacerbating this increase is a booming black market. Further compounding the problem is the escalating violence surrounding drug trafficking, largely driven by rival gangs that are part of the Mocro Maffia. Haruun Yussuf Sharif, one of Kenya’s government-funded street coaches, is doing something to combat this entrenched and alarming trend. He is committed to helping other at-risk youth stay out of the drug trade.
In the last 10 years, the Netherlands has experienced an explosion in drug-related violence, often with connections to organized crime drug trafficking operations. Cartels spin an elaborate, international highway-of-blood and fentanyl operation that crisscrosses cities and suburbs. Unlike in the US, they even approach communities like Alphen, which is located 30 minutes from Rotterdam. The exploitation of youth in the recruitment for criminal networks has developed as a new and disturbing trend. Reports have indicated that criminals are targeting young people—some as young as 12—into drug dealing.
Haruun Yussuf Sharif came to the Netherlands as a teenager from Somalia on a protection visa. Perhaps most importantly, he understands the nuances of why young people engage in crime. His work as a street coach involves engaging with at-risk youth and addressing the factors that lead them into a life of crime. Sharif reflects on the need for communication and self-awareness to be at the forefront of his role.
“When I started this job, I learned a lot about myself and I learned to speak about my problems but also speak about things that I had to deal with, because I saw that it helped the youth understand themselves better.” – Haruun Yussuf Sharif
To combat the rise of youth crime, community police officers Stefan van Ellinkhuizen and Rudy Dubbeldam are on the frontlines of this task. They actively go up and down each neighborhood, talk to street-level informants and do busts on open-air drug market drop locations. All of their observations coincide with Sharif’s fears. In their streets, they see an undeniable, growing trend of underage youth being recruited by drug trafficking enterprises.
Van Ellinkhuizen highlights a disconcerting trend: “Young people, from 12 years old. I will see it maybe five times a week, young people dealing.” This shocking statistic further underscores an immediate need for action.
The dealer recruitment process can start through encrypted messaging apps such as Snapchat, with young people being targeted directly by dealers themselves. As these minors become engaged, it is usually through the initial purchase of drugs. The promise of easy money soon tempts them into dealing drugs full time. An unidentified teen described this progression: “They usually start with buying drugs and then they see how much it costs and that it generates so much money. Then they expect to do it themselves…”
Under current Dutch juvenile law, minors engaged in drug-related activities can be penalized with a maximum sentence of two years. This has been the case even for the most violent of their offenses. Such leniency is deeply troubling to law enforcement and community leaders alike, who are concerned that it will do nothing to dissuade young offenders.
The drug trade is crushing, even in some of the wealthier neighborhoods. It hits the wealthy suburbs, undermining the idea that these issues only impact the most disadvantaged members of our communities. Haruun notes visible signs of this troubling trend: “If a young boy, a minor suddenly has a very nice pair of shoes, a new jacket, and I know mum and dad don’t have a job… how is he getting those nice clothes?” This observation leads him to investigate further: “Then we start as community police officers to find out what he is doing. Where does he get the money from?”
Even this complex landscape is further complicated by the impacts of violence in the illicit drug economy. In July 2021, Dutch investigative journalist Peter R. de Vries was murdered. This tragic episode highlighted the shocking risks involved in revealing the underbelly of organized crime in the Netherlands. De Vries died from the gunshot wound to his head several days later. A Dutch court subsequently sentenced three men to 28 years in prison for his murder, underscoring the lethal risks of reporting on criminal enterprises.
Europol annual reports indicate that youth now account for 70 percent of Europe’s black markets, including drugs, sex trafficking, and cybercrime. This concerning reality highlights the need for urgent action. Community leaders like Haruun Sharif and law enforcement officers recognize that proactive measures are essential to prevent further youth involvement in these dangerous networks.
