Worried Dutch to ratchet up controls on marijuana cafés

The Netherlands' justice minister and five southern Dutch cities say they will implement new restrictions on marijuana cafés after a wave of drug-related gangland violence.

They said the measures include shutting down many cafs, using tax and accounting laws to seize criminal assets, and introducing a "members only" pass system for remaining cafs.

Government had floated the idea of a nationwide pass system that would make it difficult for tourists to buy marijuana, despite a famed tolerance policy, which allows sale and possession of small amounts of the drug.

Last week, a home in Eindhoven was hit with machine gun fire and the mayor of Helmond went into hiding because of death threats. Police say both matters are drug-related. Despite the use and personal possession of soft drugs being permissible, the bulk supply of them is not - meaning organised crime gangs control the supply chain.