Investigations by Dutch broadcaster RTL Nieuws and the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) reveal a concerning link between German retailers and the illegal firework market in the Netherlands, where these explosives are increasingly being used to manufacture improvised explosive devices (IEDs) for attacks and ATM robberies.
Dutch traders are reportedly exploiting discrepancies in regulations, fragmented responsibilities and a lack of cross-border information sharing to procure heavy fireworks in Germany. While permits are required for the sale and purchase of such fireworks in Germany, loopholes exist, allowing individuals with criminal records to operate within the industry. RTL Nieuws and FAZ identified at least seven retailers in the border region with prior convictions, effectively prohibiting them from handling professional pyrotechnics in the Netherlands, yet enabling their operations in Germany.
Tolga Koklu, Police Chief in Rotterdam and responsible for investigations into explosives attacks, stated that there is evidence suggesting a connection between legal and illegal fireworks trading. He urged the German police to collaborate across Europe and mobilize all resources to prevent a similar escalation of explosions witnessed in the Netherlands, where over 1,100 explosives attacks occurred last year, resulting in fatalities.
The problem extends beyond the Netherlands. Explosives derived from fireworks are also being utilized in ATM robberies within Germany. Furthermore, a recent series of attacks targeting the criminal underworld in North Rhine-Westphalia involved the use of similar fireworks.
The German police acknowledge the severity of the situation. Thorsten Massinger, President of the Lower Saxony State Criminal Police Office, confirmed that the risks posed by the explosive substances are substantial, potentially causing significant injuries and property damage. However, generating viable investigative leads remains difficult.
Investigations have revealed that prosecutors and police officers in Germany often struggle to establish the initial suspicion necessary to initiate formal investigations due to current legal limitations. Covert operations, such as wiretapping, have been largely inaccessible in the fight against illegal fireworks trading. In early July, the German government approved a legislative amendment intended to address this issue.
However, investigators have criticized the proposed changes as inadequate. One prosecutor involved in the investigations expressed frustration, highlighting that the approach involves piecemeal adjustments rather than a comprehensive reassessment of the existing system, deeming it “totally inadequate” in its current state.
