Thai court sentences Dutch national to 103 years in jail

[fekman]

Well by extraditing him nobody here could have claimed the cash and assets. I can only assume that the defence lawyers were totally stoned themselves to allow this to happen. If all is as said then this is a complete travesty. The guy was legal, so was his business, did he evade tax or did he avoid it, there is a HUGE legal difference, one is legal the other is not. If tax authorities wanted to investigate him that is all that was required. I do not think we have heard the last of this, once public opinion gets going, at least I hope for him and his families sake anyway.

For all of you spouting "don't do the crime if you can't do the time" you belong with the hang em high brigade. There is nothing in the details of the case that suggest criminal activity. he ran the coffee shops in Holland NOT Thailand. I hope a Dutch Lawyer picks this up and takes up his case.

And I assume this dude is loaded, and had the best attorneys. Thats scary. If it were some regular Moe like me, maybe I would have 900 years.

[luckyman]

He paid his taxes in the Netherlands, so how is it money laundering? Dutch authorities have shamelessly hung this guy out to dry, what complete bar stewards. If they had the evidence it should have been dealt with in NL. A death sentence in reality, outrageous.

Finally a post that makes sense and shows you really did read the article and fully understood what was in it, contrary to most other posters here.

All his buddies in NL were also arrested years ago and let go after they paid their taxes and fines. Maybe they set him up? Because he is not really liked around there and he has a lot of enemies.

What I don't get, is why they indicted him for laundering in Thailand, while they found proof that he shipped millions of Euros worth of cannabis out of Thailand, Laos and Cambodia for years. (Dutch authorities estimated that the Grass Company shipped 20 million euros of marijuana per year into the Netherlands for decades.

Perhaps laundry offences make it more easy for RTP to take him to the cleaners?

Another unrelated fact but worth mentioning here, when Johan went around town in Pattaya the last couple of years before his arrest, either going to a restaurant or to a a-go-go bar, he was often seen with very high police as well as high army dudes with him, like his 'friends'.

Maybe they saw what he owned and wanted that too....?

[gp2002]

103 years for money laundering?? You could kill someone and get less than 5 years.

What a country!

[Langsuan Man]

The confusion comes from the silly way the Dutch government has handled marijuana

Despite rumors to the contrary it is not legal in Holland. It is permitted in certain locations, mainly Coffee Shops. Unfortunately this "permissive" attitude does not extend to those who provide the drug. The are traffickers, smuggler's and illegal grower's and subject to the criminal laws regarding those 3 professions

So this guys situation is pretty much a result of allowing a commodity to be used without some legal method of supplying it

I am sure more details will come out shortly

[harleyclarkey]

cash amounting to some €24m, much of which they believe had been invested in Thailand.

Was he smoking a little too much of this own whacky backky?

[Ks45672]

500-600 million thb a year in profit alone is serious cheddar....

You need to go to south America if you want to get that big imo.....

There's only so much money you can hide before they start asking questions and when the amounts are that big.... No answer will really explain it

[Jim walker]

Far too lenient a sentence for a money launderer surely he can afford to buy his way out of prison with 24million euros or possibly to greedy and rather do the time.

[Shaunduhpostman]

It is not surprising at all that there is little to no interest in whether a law was broken or not. They just don't like his story at all and oh my, this bad man has 24 million euro as well, what a nice coincidence! That he was selling drugs just kind of pushes their buttons and then any kind of sanity goes out the window. And then some creative interpretation of his guilt becomes an excuse to relieve him of his money and keep him locked up so that he can't do anything about it. He's a bad man and that's about as far as it goes when considering his actual guilt or lack thereof.

As so often goes in Thailand, your inquiry about something questionable is taken as an accusation. I doubt the people from the Dutch govrnment are aware of this cultural quirk, that in Thailand by simply inquiring about his bank balance in Thailnd that it would be taken to mean that he has done something illegal. Many Thais simply never ask about anything, the reality is besides the point, what I or what the Dutch government suspects is what is important. It would not surprise me if that was what happened there.

I hope the Netherlands will look into this and give him his due. After all it seems that it may be that it was their inquiry into this that lit the fuse that ended up with him in prison and likely having lost what may well have been legitimately his.

Just sickening the whole thing. Really makes you feel things are getting much worse here lately and closer and closer to a very scary totalitarian nightmare. We may yet again land on our feet after falling out of the 8th story window, but how many lives does Thailand have left? The heat is being ever so slowly turned up on the frogs in the suki pot. If they get away with this more of the same is likely to follow.

Edited November 11, 2015 by Shaunduhpostman

[falang khinok]

if u sell weed big style in the netherlands u are no crook u are legitimic business...have drug coffees u can make money if u pay taxes...so i dont know why pple call this guy a crook ...is like a bartender only different product...if he got caught doing the same in thailand than it would be a crime but not in the netherlands soft drugs ar elegal there u can use them buy and sell them like cars or like tshirts no big deal...theuír tourism busineess depends a lot on this drug policy because dayly many thousands of people visit amsterdam to stock up their drugs for personal use they spend on hotels restaurants taxis sightseeing etc...it is a legal dutch export product....similair with prostitution ...they have hundrets of streets in every city full of window womens...so easy this guy is not a crook by netherland standards...so he should get a compensation from the dutch authoritys if they send the false infos to the thais...simple...

another thought on the ladys business...I really dont get it why dutch go for hookers to thailand...usualy nine out of ten thai hookers are really ugly if u sober...in reverse in amsterdam they have los of working womens from carribiaen etc...one more prettier and more professional than the other ..the average thai isaan lady has no chance to compete with them...so pattaya versus amsterdam amsterdam wins sure also legal weed less crime beautifull city by the way....

[William C F Pierce]

24m Euros that should be enough to pay for his hotel stay in prison for 103 years. The length of sentence you could describe it as Double Dutch.

[Howitzer]

Humnnnnn interesting process. I wonder if he was ????? oh I don't know ????? let's say - Thai - would he be out on bail?

The arrest was made after Dutch public prosecution officials asked colleagues in Thailand for their help. They had been investigating Van Laarhovens company The Grass Company since 2011. As part of that investigation, officials were given the green light to sequester property and cash amounting to some 24m, much of which they believe had been invested in Thailand.

.

A Dutch justice official told reporters in January they had not asked the Thai authorities to arrest Van Laarhoven and were only after information. The arrest was their own decision, a spokesman said. Tax Van Laarens older brother Frans, who is also suspected of money laundering in the Netherlands, told the NRC that the Thai court has ignored evidence showing that tax was paid on every euro earned in the coffee shops.

.

He could not be prosecuted in the Netherlands and so he has been left to Thailand, he said. My brother feels he has been abandoned by the Dutch political system and the media.

[LuckyNo4]

Wow! More a century in jail for money laundering. Imagine how the cowboy global banks would clean up their act if their bosses got the same short shrift.

HSBC was convicted of money laundering for drugs gangs and terrorist groups and although the bank given a rap-over-the-wrist fine (promptly passed on to their customers, of course) the top dogs got off Scot free.

Be interesting to see if there are any prosecutions of bosses from the banks which washed this Edam-eater's grubby money. Don't hold your breath.

tax evasion, money laundering, these rules are for normal people... not for the 1% above the law parasites.

[fang37]

Seems like a fair sentence (but I know nuffin' about law).

[cookee68]

I am confused, what crime did they commit in Thailand

[NCFC]

Why do people struggle to get it?

The RTP are a money making business, so when a shady guy with a dodgy business turns up on the shores, of course the police are going to take him for every cent he's got. It's not about justice or the law it's about 23 million Euros.

Edited November 11, 2015 by NCFC

[DeepInTheForest]

Wow! More a century in jail for money laundering. Imagine how the cowboy global banks would clean up their act if their bosses got the same short shrift.

HSBC was convicted of money laundering for drugs gangs and terrorist groups and although the bank given a rap-over-the-wrist fine (promptly passed on to their customers, of course) the top dogs got off Scot free.

Be interesting to see if there are any prosecutions of bosses from the banks which washed this Edam-eater's grubby money. Don't hold your breath.

Wow! More a century in jail for money laundering. Imagine how the cowboy global banks would clean up their act if their bosses got the same short shrift.

HSBC was convicted of money laundering for drugs gangs and terrorist groups and although the bank given a rap-over-the-wrist fine (promptly passed on to their customers, of course) the top dogs got off Scot free.

Not sure what crimes this Dutch person committed, if any. But your comment on the money-laundering by HSBC is brilliant and completely on point. As you say, there was no prosecution of the top bankers involved.

There never is.

[Somtamnication]

So does this mean I have to get my coffee at Starbucks?

[jabis]

Same same as smoke weed in Amsterdaymmm just one week before coming to LoS - get caught in a random "crackdown" for drugs -> Bangkok Hilton, though you have not actually used any substances while you are here - world BIB to the rescue

[domdom]

Hello

Know the case quite well..

Langsuanman is right.. Selling weed in coffee shops is OK.. BUT apparently you are not allowed to buy the weed to sell it..

According to what I came to know from sources very close to the guy, the problem came when in NL they found a type of secret room with quite a huge quantity of weed..

The problem came when the dutch government sent a letter here asking for him to be arrested.. They already had sent a letter to get infos.. The dutch prosecutor then denied they had sent the second letter BUT J's lawyers had got a copy from the thai authorities..

In the mean time he filed a case in front of the European Court of Justice (which he lost).. saying the dutch government rule was a non sense as you can sell but not buy.. Here is a link

http://sensiseeds.com/en/blog/the-hypocrisy-of-the-dutch-cannabis-policy-cannabis-news-network/

The European Court of Justice decided the dutch government didn't have to ask for his extradition..

I don't know anything else, but the money which entered here to buy properties and so on didn't come mainly from NL but apparently some from Germany, Luxemburg, Singapore, and through some companies located in "exotic" countries..

Here comes the point, if all taxes has been paid, why did the money not come from NL ?? I imagine this can be one of the points the NL tax department and now thai court investigated..

His lawyer said, he was informed of the case going on in NL and the lawyer had commited himself in the fact his client would present himself within 5 days in front of the NL judge.. BUT next day he was arrested here and had no time to go there..

Have a nice day

[TimmyT]

I think it's a wrong desicion. Why Thai authorities should care if he avoided tax in his home country? he came here to invest money. so let him live here and invest! at least his is more useful to Thai people than 99.9% of farangs...

Edited November 12, 2015 by TimmyT

[domdom]

I do think he didn't have a fair trial..

I don't think thai judges can ever consider dealing in soft drug business can be legal.. Second thing we speak about huge amounts of money, then their question will be "how can you honestly make this amount of money in a legal business"..

Don't forget judges make their own mind and then try to adjust the prooves according to what they decided to judge.. !!

His lawyers apparently had not decided yet wether they should appeal or not, thinking they could, if they accept the sentence, obtain he could make the time in NL.. He apparently already appealed.

He is 55 according to records.. 20 years jail is a long time.. he might not want to serve it in NL as he could when finally convicted be jailed here in good conditions, as, if you have money you can buy quite a lot of things to make your life comfortable in jail here..

Don't forget he has 2 young kids here.. and his wife got 12 year too.. !!

Apparently he is not the only dutch weed coffee shop living here.. I imagine the other ones will consider going from here..

Anyway, if dealing in drugs (whatever, legal or not) and considering the Asian countries positions about drug, I would NEVER EVER come and settle in one of those countries...

Have a nice day

[Briggsy]

His sentence was reduced to 20 years, and - according to FARANG magazine - he was in possession of weed in Thailand which he smuggled to Holland. Get it?

If what you claim is true, then the FARANG magazine article is full of rubbish. No Dutch coffeeshop owner smuggles weed from Thailand to Europe. It is all hydroponically grown, mostly in Holland, very scientifically with close attention paid to the various strains and monitoring of THC levels. Think risk / reward ratio.

I have still seen no reason why the Thai court was able to convict him of money laundering (other than it conveniently got him and his wife out of the way so they could get their grubby hands on 24 million Euros of loot)

[Aussieroaming]

He obviously used the wrong laundry

[belden]

Don't know all the details but here's what I know/heard/read. He wasn't under investigation for anything in Thailand until word came from the Dutch. Everything was instigated by Dutch authorities because of a tax dispute. His coffeeshops have been sold quite some time before. From what I heard so far, all evidence in this case has been provided by the Dutch authorities, the entire case has been intigated by the Dutch. .

His businesses were licenced in Holland. But there's a small detail that shows quite easily how conflicts about untaxed ,money will occur. The sale of marihuana is licensed, taxes are being paid. But the buying of stock is as legal as can be, so is the money used for it. So you see that problems or disputes over taxes are really only just around the corner.

He is being set up and hung to dry by the Dutch, a shamefull act which could set a nasty precedent IMO. I wish thay were as expedient with the Google's and other multinationals who evade taxes on a massive scale internationally.

[craigt3365]

I am not nor have I ever used pot. But in NL it is legal. The same as pharmaceuticals are legal. Thats it, end of story. QED

Many pharmaceuticals are only legal when acquired via authorized (legal) outlets and as prescribed by medical professionals. Otherwise, they are illegal.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug_policy_of_the_Netherlands

Cannabis remains a controlled substance in the Netherlands and both possession and production for personal use are still misdemeanors, punishable by fines. Coffee shops are also technically illegal but are flourishing nonetheless. However, a policy of non-enforcement has led to a situation where reliance upon non-enforcement has become common, and because of this the courts have ruled against the government when individual cases were prosecuted.

[craigt3365]

http://www.newsweek.com/marijuana-and-old-amsterdam-308218

But no longer. New laws target even the smallest of marijuana growers in Holland. In the past, people could grow up to five plants without fear of retribution. In 2011, the government issued new police guidelines and declared anyone who grew with electric lights, prepared soil, “selected” seeds or ventilation would be considered “professional.” It’s a significant change, as professional growers risk major penalties, including eviction and blacklisting from the government-provided housing in which more than half of the country’s citizens reside.

The result: Coffee shops are increasingly buying buds from criminal organizations willing to absorb the risk of prosecution by growing large amounts of cannabis in shipping containers buried underground, with little regard for quality or mold abatement. “It’s amazing how bad the quality has become,” says Bergman. “And the price is up. It’s what we’ve all predicted.”

[BB24]

Seems the authorities are spot on here:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/745440-dutch-man-arrested-for-drugs-and-money-laundering-in-pattaya/

PATTAYA – July 23, 2014 [Pattaya Daily News];-at 07.00 am Mr.Surasak Treerattanakul- Attorney General-, Mr.Wanchai Rujjanawong-Attorney General-, Mr.Permpoon Pengprasith-deputy attorney general of DSI-, Pol.Col.Singhanart Prayoonrat-secretary of AMLO- and Pol.Col.Kampol Leelaprapaporn-superintendent of Huay Yai police station- led a team with a court order to inspect a house in Soi Phoenix golf club road, Bang Lamung district after the officers had been notified by the Dutch embassy that Mr Johannes Petrus Maria Van Laarhoven 53 year old from Netherland and his men had been trading drugs and money laundering.

At the scene there were 2 luxury houses where the police found Mr. Laarhoven and Mrs.Mingkwan Kaenin his 35 year old wife. The officers then searched the house and found some money, ornaments, gold ornaments and 2 pistols which were confiscated. Also they had confiscated houses, land deeds; cars and passbooks which were all valued about 50 million baht.

Mr.Surasak said that previously AMLO had cooperated with Dutch embassy that Mr Laarhoven had been trading cannabis in Netherlands without permission since 1st March 2007. He had opened coffee shops around the country as a cover to his real job and he had also grown cannabis in the basement. He then came to Thailand and set up a business to cover up his money laundering. Also he had bought lands, houses, cars and other property and was generating between 500-600 million baht per year.

Full story:http://www.pattayada...dering-pattaya/

I LOVE THIS COUNTRY !!! Greedy drug baron makes his money in Holland and thinks he can bring and hide it here - 103 years !!! He was being pursued by Dutch authorities for not paying taxes (they reckoned he did not declare it all) and the evidence showed he was bringing millions of Euros here unnaccouted for. The Dutch authorities couldn’t nail him – so the Thai Authorities have been given all the dirt on him by the Dutch. They obviously said to the Dutch “leave it with us – we will nail him” (and of course they have pocketed a lot of his illegal earnings). It is great that the Thai Govt has nailed him - but that is not the best part. His Thai wife was sentenced to 12 years in jail for her part in his operation!! When was the last time you ever heard of a wife going down with the hubby in the West? The bitches are immune in the West – from Capone onwards - the wifes are always let free – but here they go down with their man – like they should. Does anyone really think those Western wives of mobsters and gangsters didn’t know how the hubby made his money and that they didn’t help him. I LOVE THIS PLACE J

[MyFriend You]

It would appear that Thailand has extended its jurisdiction beyond its own borders based on information from the defence lawyer.

If I own a sex shop selling porn and sex toys in the UK (illegal in Thailand) and then bring this money to Thailand, will I be in danger of being imprisoned for money laundering in Thailand?

However, the amount of money involved and the intense interest in this man and his money from the Dutch authorities suggests to me, he is more of a criminal than his lawyers claim, not just an owner of a string of coffee shops. Tax evasion springs to mind.

Yes

Yes

Maybe

Sorry needed another post to get closer to that 1000, and yours looked pretty good to respond to

Edited November 12, 2015 by TunnelRat69

[Ks45672]

The amount of money he was making is detrimental to his case unfortunately...

There's no way the Thai police are going to give back his 24 million euros, 4 mansions and his cars and bank accounts ....

If there isn't enough proof, they will have to get creative and invent some

There must have been celebrations in thonburi police station after they raided this guy....

How many parking tickets would it take them to accumulate over a billion baht worth of loot...... And all in one afternoon....

Thx to the Dutch police

[Jai Dee]

Several flame posts and replies as well as bickering comments have been removed from this thread.