Police have already made 40 arrests in and around Brussels' Northern Quarter as part of a major drug case that started early this year, the Brussels Capital/Ixelles police zone reported.
The local criminal investigation department of Brussels' most central police zone started an investigation at the start of this year and later carried out investigations into drug gangs operating in the area of the Chaussée d'Anvers in the Northern Quarter of Brussels, which has a long history of precariousness, crime, homelessness and drug use.
"It involved drug sellers who turned up around this area several times a week," the police zone said in a statement.
This operation initially already led to 25 judicial arrests, 15 people being placed at the disposal of the public prosecutor's office and two arrest warrants, as well as the seizure of €300, 500 grams of marijuana, 75 grams of cannabis resin and 30 grams of cocaine.
In parallel with these arrests, the drugs section of the police zone also launched an investigation to map the network so it could better go after the so-called 'bigger fish'. "The drugs section was assisted in this complex case by our anti-robbery brigade, the decentralised local criminal investigation department and the INTEL/ILP (Intelligence-Led Policing) cell," the police explained.
After investigations, 14 additional people involved in the organisation were identified, and the go-ahead was given to carry out 16 house searches which took place on Monday 10 and Tuesday 11 June.
"In the process, 15 persons were arrested, four of whom were placed under arrest for possession and sale of drugs in association. Another €4,332, 800 grams of cannabis, 35 grams of cocaine and all kinds of luxury items were seized during the searches," the police said.
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Overall, the investigation in this case has already led to a total of 40 arrests, of which 25 suspects have been placed at the disposal of the public prosecutor's office and six have been placed under an arrest warrant.
The various police zones in Brussels have, at the call of local authorities, stepped up their efforts to tackle drug trafficking in the region in the wake of increased drug-related violence, including a series of public shootings – mainly gangs settling scores.
