Three members of a drug cartel involved in a series of gangland killings have been jailed for life, in the biggest criminal trial in Dutch history.
The gang’s “undisputed” ringleader, Ridouan Taghi, was for years one of the Netherlands’ most-wanted fugitives.
Taghi was jailed for murder, firearms offences and aggravated robbery.
Two other men, Said R and Mario R – whose full names cannot be revealed under Dutch law – were also given life sentences.
They were convicted of complicity in murder, attempted murder, preparation for and complicity in murder.
In total, 17 people were handed sentences ranging from life in prison to one year and nine months.
The nature and scale of this case is unprecedented in the Netherlands.
It took 142 hearing days spread over almost six years, 800 pages of pleadings and more than 3,000 pages of documents from the lawyers to arrive at today’s verdicts.
From the outset the “mega-trial” – which began on 11 March 2021 – has been shrouded in secrecy and security.
The court president said the “Marengo” trial – named after the codeword for the police operation which led to the arrests – was about “ruthless, disruptive violence”.
“When we read the messages in the file, we end up in a world where human life has no value,” he said.
The trial has captivated a country that has recently been forced to confront its violent underworld.
The gang’s murders were well prepared by using “spotters” or using sophisticated sounding beacons.
According to the court, the organisation counted not only gunmen and drivers among its many members, but also corrupt officials who provided vital insider information.
Taghi, 46, was found guilty of being the undisputed leader of the criminal organisation, which is thought to have been one of the Netherlands’ biggest drug cartels.
He was the subject of an international arrest warrant and was eventually arrested in Dubai in 2019, where he had been living below the radar in a suburban villa.
