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🇧🇪 Belgium /Crime & Justice

Search in Pelt uncovers drug lab processing procaine

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Official statement Under investigation
  • Belgian authorities found a laboratory in Pelt used to chemically process procaine, which can serve as a cutting agent for cocaine.
  • Three Dutch nationals, aged between 41 and 45, were arrested during the search.
  • Dutch authorities are handling the continuing investigation.

A house search in Pelt uncovered a laboratory used to chemically process procaine, a substance that can be used to dilute cocaine. Three Dutch nationals, aged between 41 and 45, were arrested.

The search formed part of an ongoing investigation by Dutch authorities into drug-related crime. Limburg prosecutors said chemically processing and crystallizing procaine can produce a substance that closely resembles pure cocaine in appearance.

Procaine is a substance that can, among other uses, serve as a cutting agent for cocaine.

· Limburg prosecutor's officeThe prosecutors explained the role of procaine in the suspected drug-processing operation.

Criminal organizations can mix the cheaper substance with cocaine to increase the amount of drugs available for sale and maximize profit margins, the prosecutors’ office said. Dutch authorities are continuing the investigation.

Criminal organizations can mix this cheaper substance with cocaine to increase the amount of drugs available for sale and maximize their profit margins.

· Limburg prosecutor's officeThe statement described why procaine may be processed and mixed with cocaine.
About this summary

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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