Mixing pharmaceutical waste with fertilizer and spraying it on onion fields

Three fields used to grow onions in Baarle-Nassau, Brabant province, were found to be contaminated with chemical waste left over from the production of the drug methamphetamine, local broadcaster Omroep Brabant reported on Thursday.

Police received a tip-off about possible contamination a year ago and tested a total of 20 fields. Three of the fields were contaminated with drug waste that was mixed with manure and sprayed on the fields as fertilizer.

Police said three men who owned the fields, aged 48, 49 and 72, were farmers and had been questioned and were considered suspects.

Drug labs that make amphetamines, ecstasy and methamphetamine often dump leftover chemicals in rural areas, creating health risks and cleanup headaches for local governments.

The broadcaster said it was the first time drug waste had been found disguised as manure.

Police said the Food Safety Commission was monitoring the situation to ensure there was no health risk. It was not clear from the report whether any onions from the fields entered the food chain.