Mario van den B. (52) is in danger of having to pull out his wallet. The Sittarden man is seen by the justice department as the head of a hemp organization and is now facing a claim of 730,000 euros.

This is according to information from L1. Mario's trial will begin next year.

Plantations rounded up

There does not seem to be any movement on the case that started in November 2018 for a while, but in the background, the justice system is now preparing the trial. Thus, if no bears appear on the road, the case will be heard next year. Incidentally, a number of defendants have already been convicted in this case. They have been tried separately for hemp plantations.

"All these cases have come to light in the investigation of the 52-year-old suspect. We want to emphasize that this does not mean that he is also a suspect in those cases," said a justice spokeswoman.

Diego's Garden Center

Mario is suspected of leading a criminal organization, hemp sting trafficking in association and preparing drug-related acts. The Sittard, 50-year-old had been detained since his arrest on Nov. 20, 2018, until May 8, 2019. He was the owner of Diego's Garden Center in Geleen and through that business he allegedly ran a lively hemp cuttings business.

Eight colleagues

He did so with eight others, according to prosecutors. Diego's employees Ben K. and Tineke K., among others, are on the suspect list. Boy S., Elmar G., Ivo C., Olaf van D., Richard van M. and Teun van der H. also appeared in the prosecution's sights. These suspects have not, or have only been in pretrial detention for a short period of time.

The eight are suspected of participating in a criminal organization, and most of the suspects must also answer for drug-related offenses. Some are described as errand boys, others had a more active role, according to investigative agencies. Involved lawyers Stef Bergmans, Wouter Smeets and Serge Weening would not respond to questions.

Life-size statue

For now, Mario is the only one with the hefty claim of 730,000 euros hanging over his head. This is the amount that Mario, according to the justice system, has earned through criminal practices. In that context, several items of value have already been seized upon his arrest. The most notable item was a life-size statue of a horse, which stood in his garden.