In an interview with VRT Radio 1’s morning news and current affairs programme ‘De ochtend’, the National Drugs Commissioner Ine Van Wymersch suggests making unemployed youngsters that drive around in expensive cars prove that they obtained the vehicle through legitimate means. If they are unable to do so Ms Van Wymersch says that the Federal Finance Department should take action against them.
Drugs Commissioner says “Make unemployed youngsters prove that they got their posh car though legitimate means”
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Ms Van Wymersch told the VRT that while there has always been violence related to the trade in illegal narcotic, previously this something that mainly occurred in the backstreets.
However, these days gangs are increasing using disadvantaged young people to do their dirty work and they do not hesitate to use brute force on the streets in broad daylight.
Supply-driven
The Drugs Commissioner explains that market in illegal drugs is supply-driven. Criminal organisations will always find a market and bring new products to it. One way to deal with the criminal organisations behind the trade in illegal narcotics is to break their revenue model. This could be done by, for example, reversing the burden of proof.
If someone is driving around in an expensive car and has no demonstrable legal income, the onus should be on them to provide proof that they were able to pay for that car by legitimate means. Ms Van Wymersch believes that if they are unable to do so, the Federal Finance Department should be able to impose sanctions. She added that this system already exists in the UK.