On codewords – Steffen Lüdke, Alexandra Rojkov in Der Spiegel:

‘Ridouan Taghi had many code words for "murder." He sometimes spoke of "letting someone sleep" or wanting to "deactivate" someone in the encrypted messages he sent to confidants that were reviewed by investigators. But it appears that they always meant the same thing: Taghi wanted to kill someone for getting in the way of his drug business.’

(…)

‘On Tuesday evening, Peter R. de Vries, the country’s most famous journalist, left a television studio in downtown Amsterdam, where he had appeared at 6:30 p.m. on a show called "RTL Boulevard." De Vries walked down Lange Leidsedwarstraat toward the public parking lot where he had left his car. Then shots rang out. According to media reports, five bullets were fired at de Vries, with one hitting him in the head. He collapsed and lay motionless on the ground. De Vries is still fighting for his life in the hospital.’

(…)

‘In addition to being an experienced crime journalist, de Vries also works as a TV host and a media consultant. At the time of his shooting, he had been working with a man named Nabil B., a former accomplice of Taghi’s. In the past, B. had organized getaway cars for the drug lord – but when an attempted murder went wrong, B., fearing for his life, turned himself in to the police. Now, he wants to testify against Taghi in court.

The attack on the reporter could be a message from the underworld, an attempt to intimidate Nabil B., the key witness.

Many people in the Netherlands were deeply shaken the day after the attack, but also angry that an act like this was even possible. Many are now calling for tougher measures in the fight against the drug mafia. And more security for the journalists covering their crimes.’

(…)

‘The day after the crime, Taghi’s lawyer denied that her client had had anything to do with the attack on de Vries. The accusations against him lacked any "factual basis," her law firm wrote in a statement.
So far, there has indeed been no evidence that Taghi ordered de Vries’ murder. The reporter has made many enemies over the course of his career. Little is known about the two suspects arrested by Dutch police after the attack – nor is there a clear link to Taghi. But other evidence points in the drug lord’s direction.
Since the news emerged that Nabil B. intends to testify as the key witness against Taghi, several people in his circle have been murdered. B.’s brother was shot to death in spring 2018 and his lawyer was killed in September 2019. Media outlets that have reported extensively on Taghi’s drug career have also been threatened. And in 2016, Martin Kok, a former criminal and blogger who wrote about organized crime, was killed. "That dog has to sleep,” Taghi reportedly typed in an encrypted message before the murder. In June 2019, someone rammed a van into the front of the offices of the De Telegraaf newspaper. The daily had reported on Taghi’s alleged drug dealings, among other things.’

(…)

‘Tieleman says he just fell into it. He, too, has since taken precautions. Very few people, for instance, are allowed to know where he lives. "The attack on de Vries is a new low, and we’ve had a few," Tieleman says. He says the shooting was a message to all journalists that the gangs are also willing to resort to extreme measures. "I had no idea it was going get this dangerous," he says. "I didn’t choose this." Nevertheless, Tieleman says he doesn’t want to give up his job as a crime reporter. "But no story is worth as much as my life."’

(…)

‘A report commissioned by city officials in Amsterdam concluded that drug-related crime has an impact on the entire city. It states that money is laundered in restaurants and shops and that the proceeds are then funneled into real estate. "We now have the characteristics of a narco-state," says Jan Struijs of the Dutch police union. "Our economy is increasingly dependent on money from the bad boys." That is undermining rule of law and, through local corruption, Dutch democracy.’

(…)

‘Other reporters had warned de Vries that he was crossing a line and putting himself in danger with his work for Nabil B. But de Vries brushed aside their concerns. He once even quipped that if you can’t handle death threats, you’re better off working at a women’s magazine.’

Read the article here.

A narco-state is probably a bit of an exaggeration. A part-time narco-state.

I also would like to report that Ronald Reagan forty years ago or so declared a war on drugs. (‘My generation will remember how America swung into action when we were attacked in World War II. The war was not just fought by the fellows flying the planes or driving the tanks. It was fought at home by a mobilized nation -- men and women alike -- building planes and ships, clothing sailors and soldiers, feeding marines and airmen; and it was fought by children planting victory gardens and collecting cans. Well, now we're in another war for our freedom, and it's time for all of us to pull together again. So, for example, if your friend or neighbor or a family member has a drug or alcohol problem, don't turn the other way. Go to his help or to hers. Get others involved with you -- clubs, service groups, and community organizations -- and provide support and strength. And, of course, many of you've been cured through treatment and self-help. Well, you're the combat veterans, and you have a critical role to play. You can help others by telling your story and providing a willing hand to those in need. Being friends to others is the best way of being friends to ourselves. It's time, as Nancy said, for America to ``just say no'' to drugs.’) Read Reagan’s speech here.

I don’t believe that this war was very successful.

You can fight drugs mafia more or less successfully in the Netherlands, the mafia will move to Norway, Spain or Ireland. As long as there is demand the problems won’t be solved.

Italy had some success in the fight against mafia, but sceptics argue that the mafia and the government have colluded and the need for spectacular killings diminished.

The other question: should more or less serious journalists should work as media consultants? Since the attempt to kill Mr. De Vries it has become difficult to ask this question, but why on earth would you be for hire as media consultant, if you can make a decent living as a journalist? And do key witnesses really need media consultants?