Belgium's biggest ever judicial and police action took place two years ago today – a coordinated mass mobilisation that targeted all echelons of the drug mafias operating in the country. This has subsequently led to nearly 3,000 suspects being identified and hundreds of legal proceedings.
The operation on 9 March 2021 involved searches at some 200 locations in Belgium and came about after a billion encrypted messages on the criminal cryptophone network Sky ECC were cracked by artificial intelligence and machine learning.
"The Sky ECC file dealt a huge blow to organised crime. Every day the number of files, suspects or convictions continues to grow," said Minister of Justice Vincent Van Quickenborne.
A total of 526 cases have been launched against 2,961 suspects. This time last year that number was just 888. Sentences have already been given in 344 individual cases, accounting for 1,125 years of imprisonment. Almost €110 million in criminal money has been seized.
Yet the influx of files and prison sentences has put significant strain on the Justice Department and has exacerbated prison overcrowding. Additional investment and a recruitment drive should enlarge prison capacity.
Internal corruption
The investigations didn't only expose criminal kingpins, they put "every layer of the criminal network into focus," from street dealers to the drug lords at the top. Yet it also became clear that Belgium's legal world was infiltrated and corrupted by organised crime.
Wads of cash, mobile phones and other confiscated and seized goods as a result of a search on the back of the Sky ECC investigation. Credit: Belga/ Thijs Vanderstappen
Logistics and administrative employees at the port, shipping company staff, and owners of port warehouses were among the suspects. So too were lawyers, customs officers, police officers and even a prosecutor's office employee.
"The pressure exerted by organised crime on these individuals and the sums they were given to turn a blind eye or leak information are often huge."
A persistent problem
Two years since the operation was initiated, information is still being gathered that leads to new investigations. Belgium is also working to extradite ringleaders who were already convicted or wanted but are hiding abroad.
The drug mafia in Belgium continues to be a major issue, especially in Antwerp where street shootings and explosions have become almost commonplace in recent months. In January an 11-year-old girl was killed in drug-related shooting.
"Police and the judiciary are cracking down on criminal networks at a higher rate than ever. But we still have years to really get to grips with organised crime," Van Quickenborne said.
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Home Affairs Minister Annelies Verlinden added that the fight against international organised crime continues. This includes efforts overseas, such as the recent deals made with Colombia and Ecuador to enhance cooperation.
"It takes a network to fight a network. And with that network, we will make our society safer," she concluded.
