Two crocodiles found guarding a drugs gang’s money in Amsterdam in February are to remain with their owner even though he is a suspect, according to the Telegraaf.
The reptiles were found when police conducted raids on six houses in Amsterdam and one in Almere, netting several kilos of synthetic drugs, including €500,000 worth of crystal meth, €300,000 in cash, and several firearms.
Most of the cash was in a room in one house guarded by the two crocodiles which would-be thieves would have to pass to get to the money.
The pro-animal party PvdD had called on the public prosecution department to confiscate the animals but Amsterdam’s mayor Eberhard van der Laan has now said this is impossible.
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‘Possessions can only be confiscated if they may have been obtained illegally,’ the mayor is quoted as saying by the Telegraaf. ‘This is not the case here, as the suspect, a former circus performer, has been their legitimate owner for 20 years. The owner has all the necessary licences to look after the animals and is doing a good job. Detectives have looked into this closely.’