A 66-year-old man dubbed the ‘Godfather of The Hague’ has gone on trial in one of the biggest drugs cases ever brought before the Dutch courts.

During a 40-year-old criminal career Piet S. funded a lavish lifestyle, with a villa in Spain, luxury cars and trips around the world, by trading illegal drugs around the world, prosecutors claim.

For decades he was able to stay under the radar by moving around, using multiple encrypted phones and avoiding any direct contact with the international narcotics trade, but police began to take a closer interest in his affairs after intercepting the EncroChat messaging network three years ago.

Lawyers for S. insist he made his money legitimately by selling watches and is now retired. They point out that even after sifting through thousands of encrypted messages, the authorities have been unable to find a single shipment of drugs with his name on it.

The prosecution service say he sold a total of €60 million worth of drugs, including cocaine, heroin and cannabis, and laundered it through his house in Spain, two penthouses for his son, and several high-performance cars including a black Ferrari.

Other proceeds were allegedly invested in businesses such as tanning studios, as well as 3,800 m2 of farmland in Gelderland with a large barn. According to land registry documents the site is still in the hands of the previous owner, but prosecutors say the transaction is typical of the way S. meticulously covered his tracks.

Investigating authorities have compiled a 70,000-page case file and identified 51 suspected members of S’s network, 27 of whom are on trial at the district court in The Hague. But S. is regarded as the kingpin.

He faces a long list of charges covering numerous drug deals, money laundering and associated crimes including assault, issuing threats, bribery and firearms possession.

The trial is expected to last until July, with three days a week reserved for hearings for the next four months.