Drugs gangs manufacturing ecstasy and amphetamines were responsible for at least 177 chemical waste dumps in the Netherlands last year, according to new police figures.

In 2015, 160 dumps were dismantled by officials and in 2012, just 69, the Telegraaf said on Tuesday. However, the true size of the problem is likely to be far greater, because gangs are also dumping waste directly into the sewers and using other methods, the paper said.

Gangs also appear to be shifting from the far south of the country towards the east following a police crackdown on synthetic drug production in some areas. Last year fewer laboratories were closed in Limburg and there were fewer waste dumps in the southern province.

Brabant still dominates, with 100 dump sites and 15 drugs labs last year.

In some places, traces of drugs-related chemicals have been found in crops, such sweet corn, the Telegraaf said. In Someren, for example, drugs waste had been dumped in a manure pit and the manure was later sprayed on fields as fertiliser.

Christian Democrat MP Madeleine van Toorenburg told the Telegraaf that she planned to raise the problem in parliament.

‘Not enough has been done to tackle drugs crime and waste dumping,’ she said. ‘It has serious consequences for our society. Our food has to be safe.’