The City of Brussels/Ixelles police have arrested 22 people in Matonge as part of a coordinated crackdown on drug dealing in the area.
Local police have been reinforcing their presence in Matonge since mid-June. In collaboration with the judiciary and other police branches, the coordinated action aims to "eradicate drug dealing and related problems as effectively as possible," according to a statement released by the Brussels Public Prosecutor's Office on Friday.
To this end, 22 arrests occurred between 15 June and 18 July. All were related to drug dealing or linked "nuisances" such as street fights, littering and general public disorder.
Police also seized 890 grams of soft drugs, 20 grams of hard drugs, €12,000 in cash and equipment linked to the sale of narcotics.
Police in Matonge in 2018. Credit: Belga
'Hot spots'
The concerted effort in Matonge is part of a broader attempt to tackle drug dealing and the violence it generates in the Belgian capital. Drug violence involving firearms has injured 131 people and killed seven since the beginning of this year.
In March, Matonge was one of 15 areas dubbed "drug hotspots". It is therefore subjected to increased security and prevention measures. Non-profits specialising in social responses to health crises warn that this approach will only increase stigmatisation of already-marginalised communities.
"This special police attention to the Matonge district and surrounding area will be maintained for as long as necessary," the Public Prosecutor's Office said of this latest action.
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17 suspects are now in the Public Prosecutor's care, which is investigating three separate narcotic sales and two separate suspects. Eight of the suspects will go to trial in the coming weeks under a special "fast-track procedure" reserved for cases concerning drugs.
The same period saw 175 parking tickets issued, 96 traffic offenses committed and the closure of one shop that failed to procure the correct permits during a police check. Authorities also suspect human trafficking activities following the discovery of a mattress in a shop basement.
