At least four people have been arrested for trading in illegal fireworks following police raids on a warehouse in Emmen.

Some 36 tonnes of fireworks were being stored in the building, most likely illegal imports from China via Belgium and Poland, RTL news reported. The storage site was close to private homes.
In total, 12 homes in Drenthe province were searched and four guns, a quantity of cash and four cars were also seized. The police investigation is continuing.
This is the first major bust of the traditional Dutch firework season. Every year police seize thousands of kilos of fireworks which have been smuggled into the country in the run up to the New Year celebrations.
The Netherlands has strict laws relating to the sale of fireworks. They may only be sold to the public from licensed locations during a few days prior to December 31.