Amsterdam - The Dutch mafia checks the growing number of large marijuana plantations in the Spanish region of Valencia. That is what the Spanish police says. Flown-in experts teach local farmers, having made Spain one of the leading producers of marijuana in Europe. According to the Guardia Civil, the number of farms has really taken off since 2010.

Professionals

The "well-organized professionals" mainly stem from the about 17,000 souls from the Dutch community in Valencia. They live mainly along the coast, in and around Alicante. Precisely there the police had the most violations in recent months.

Exaggerated

"Exaggerated", says "Mac" from Cannabislandia, a digital grow shop in Valencia. "In Alicante, cannabis is grown for the Dutch market; that is true. Friends of mine, who live here, have coffee shops in Amsterdam. Life is good, the climate is ideal to grow cannabis. This combination makes it attractive for them. But it is a small industry."

9000 plants

The messages of the Guardia Civil are not out of the blue however. In October 2010, two Dutch persons were arrested when dismantling a marijuana farm with 9000 plants in Valencia. In December 2010 again three Dutch persons were arrested. In 2011, several farms were discovered and destroyed. Dutch were also involved in setting op those, according to the Guardia Civil.