Gold Mountain

From 1870 onwards, the borders were guarded by customs officers. From that period to the 1960s, six important periods are distinguished: Salt Smuggling, First World War, Crisis Years, Second World War, The Reconstruction and Butter Period.
The latter period is distinguished from the earlier period by the more extensive crime. At first it was mainly about alleviating poverty, but now big money had to be earned. Armed gangs arose that transported many hundreds of kilos of butter at a time with armoured cars. Many people were killed and wounded, especially on the side of the customs officers.
In addition to crow's feet, oil and smoke bombs, they even used flamethrowers and aircraft engines to shake off pursuers. The European agricultural policy put an end to butter smuggling. It is suspected that the butter smugglers have become involved in the illegal distillation of alcohol.

Autor: Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos