Dutch police arrest 34 after Overasselt shootout

Dutch authorities said Tuesday they had arrested 34 people after a pre-dawn shootout in Overasselt killed a 51-year-old and injured two police officers.

Police said heavily armed men wearing balaclavas approached a house in the eastern Dutch town, near the German border, at about 4am before shots were fired. Police spokeswoman Jolanda Aalbers said officers responding to the scene came under fire and two suffered injuries that were not life-threatening.

Aalbers said several weapons, data storage devices and vehicles were seized. Police urged residents to stay indoors with doors and windows shut in case more suspects were still at large.

Deputy Chief Prosecutor Monique Vinkesteijn said the group in custody was international and included French, Belgian, Algerian and Dutch nationals. She said the suspects faced possible charges ranging from murder to manslaughter to preparing a kidnapping, and that further arrests could follow.

Local media reported that the shootout was likely connected to the criminal network of Dutch drug lord Jos Leijdekkers, also known as “Bolle Jos”. Leijdekkers is one of the Netherlands' most wanted criminals and has previously been convicted over international cocaine trafficking.

Het Parool reported that the gunfight stemmed from a conflict over several hundred kilos of cocaine thought to have been trafficked by Leijdekkers' gang.

Vinkesteijn said there had been a shooting at the same house last year linked to a “longstanding conflict”, but she gave no further details, citing the continuing investigation.

Local mayor Joerie Minses said Overasselt had been shocked by extreme violence.