Police seize heavy illegal fireworks in Veghel, Nuenen and Elst

Police found about 35 kilos of illegal heavy fireworks in a home in Veghel last week, after a tip, and more than 90 kilos in a car in Nuenen, where they arrested a 25-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman from Vught. Police also took heavy illegal fireworks off the street in Elst.

Police say tracing illegal fireworks is especially important in the run-up to the turn of the year. Some fireworks can be as powerful as an explosive, they say.

"Fireworks stored in homes, business premises, garages or cellar storage units are extremely dangerous and illegal," police said. "Every batch of fireworks the police take off the street prevents incidents and helps make the neighbourhood safer."

The Veghel tip came in via Meld Misdaad Anoniem, the anonymous crime-reporting line. Besides display fireworks, officers found shells. Police are investigating who was involved in possessing them.

In Nuenen, officers on patrol saw a parked vehicle on the Pastoormast. The driver tried to leave on seeing the police car. A check found the fireworks in the cargo area. A later search of the driver's home found nothing.

"One Cobra, a type of heavy firework, has the same explosive force as a hand grenade," police said, adding that transporting and storing heavy illegal fireworks are a major risk.