Twenty-two individuals, including three police officers, were detained on Tuesday in 45 raids as a result of an extensive joint investigation into drug trafficking.
The Port of Antwerp's ascendency as the cocaine gateway to Europe has held the whole of Belgium in the grip of a war on drugs. Authorities have been stepping up efforts to control the ports and combat drug violence while organised crime groups, getting nervous about the large seizures, are attempting to recover their contraband, threatening port staff in the process.
In the wake of numerous serious crime incidents the Federal Judicial Police of Brussels and the Brussels-West police zone, in consultation with the Brussels public prosecutor's office, joined forces. This saw the creation of a joint investigation team in February 2023 to facilitate the better sharing of information.
"Thanks to this joint investigation, drug trafficking at several levels (from local dealing to import/export) was uncovered," said Yasmina Vanoverschelde, spokesperson of the Federal Prosecutor's Office, on Wednesday. She added that several individuals were suspected of planning to commit violence with firearms.
Corrupt police
The analysis of several Sky ECC phones – which has in recent years led to the conviction of more than 1,000 people involved in drug trafficking – revealed a multi-level drug-trafficking operation. The latest development revealed the importation of cocaine through the port of Antwerp, with some key drug traffickers even thought to have planned to export cocaine to England using helicopters.
The Brussels investigating judge in charge of the case decided to take action on 16 January 2024 by issuing 45 search warrants. In addition to the suspects, "some of whom could pose a potential threat", several companies in different judicial districts, including Brussels and Antwerp, were also targeted.
"At this stage, 22 people were deprived of their liberty, including three police officers," said Vanoverschelde. The SKY ECC investigation previously made clear that parts of the legal world had been corrupted, as gangs exploited port workers and lawyers too.
During these operations, cash, luxury vehicles and a handgun were also confiscated. More than 350 local and federal police officers were deployed, notably the Special Units of the Federal Police and several specialised units of the Federal and Local Police.
