Seven people have been arrested in a string of police raids in Utrecht and its surrounding towns on Tuesday morning in what is thought to be a major investigation into organised crime.

In total, eight homes were raided and searched in Utrecht, Nieuwegein, Tiel and Vianen and the Telegraaf says the raids are probably connected to the ‘mocro mafia’, the nickname given to largely Dutch-Moroccan drugs gangs which have been linked to several murders.

In particular, police have been keen to arrest a man named Ridouan Taghi (40), who is said to have ordered several killings, and who is on the national most-wanted list. He was not arrested on Tuesday, the Telegraph said.

Nor was his right-hand man Saïd Razzouki (46), the Parool said in its coverage.

More to follow