Drug labs are increasingly becoming a neighbourhood safety issue.

According to the Dutch Police, in 2025 authorities identified 142 locations in the Netherlands where synthetic drugs, heroin and/or cocaine, were being produced. The same report notes that 88 locations were linked to synthetic drug production such as MDMA, methamphetamine and amphetamine.

This shows how illicit production is not only a law enforcement issue; it is also a public safety and environmental risk.

PENTION can contribute to this challenge by developing mobile vapour detection tools that support the identification of synthetic drugs, precursors and potential production sites.

The earlier a production site can be detected, the better authorities can protect communities, reduce exposure risks and disrupt criminal networks.

Read the full news here: https://www.politie.nl/nieuws/2026/april/23/00-merendeel-drugslabs-in-woonwijk.html