People are not allowed to carry more than 2000 euros in cash. The VVD in Rotterdam is arguing for this. The party wants to introduce the limit in the fight against drug crime. Anyone who goes out on the street with so much cash, risks a fine of up to 2500 euros.
“The essence of the problem is that we cannot get a grip on drug crime”, says party chairman Vincent Karremans of VVD Rotterdam. And cash plays a major role in this, according to Karremans.
“Those young boys, the errand boys, earn a lot of money and buy expensive things from it. As a result, other boys in the neighborhood see that these people are successful, they are a kind of example. That’s how you keep it going.”
Preventive search
A cash limit could be a solution, VVD thinks. It then becomes possible to take drug money from criminals. Preventive searches are already taking place. In addition, fines must be issued if someone has too much cash in their pocket. “Catering entrepreneurs who bring money to the bank are of course an exception. As long as you can prove where the money comes from.”
Karremans thinks fines of 2500 euros can help. “We also want to make agreements with retailers. There are still retailers who receive large amounts of cash. Drug criminals buy expensive items from them.”
Such agreements would mean, for example, that amounts above 500 euros must be debited and that banknotes of 100 euros or more will not be accepted tomorrow.
Shopkeepers
The shopkeepers in the center of Rotterdam are not unwelcome to the plan, says Dominique van Elsacker on behalf of this group of shopkeepers. “They do not want to cooperate in tax evasion and they prefer to use a debit card in the store anyway.”
That is also for their own safety. “It also makes retailers vulnerable to robberies when cash can be paid with such a high amount.”
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