A 28-year-old man has been placed under arrest by an investigating judge in Bruges on suspicion of human trafficking, the Bruges Public Prosecutor announced on Thursday.
The suspect was apprehended while trying to evade a police check on the E40 motorway near Middelkerke in West Flanders, Belgium, not far from the French border.
On Saturday evening, a vehicle with German licence plates caught the attention of a patrol from federal road police at the Mannekensvere motorway area. When officers attempted to check the car, the driver fled.
The suspect parked his vehicle on the hard shoulder of the E40 heading towards France. By the time police reached the vehicle, there were no occupants inside.
Local police zones were called to assist in the search, including the zone's drone team which eventually located the suspect. The man was then arrested on suspicion of human trafficking.
Inside the car, police found nautical equipment including an inflatable boat, 14 inner tubes, pumps, an outboard motor, and jerrycans filled with fuel. Inner tubes are often used as a cost-effective alternative to life jackets.
The suspect, reportedly from Syria, was questioned by the federal judicial police of West Flanders on Sunday. A search was conducted at his Brussels residence.
On Monday, the man was charged for human trafficking. He is set to appear before the Council Chamber on Friday to determine whether his preventive detention will be confirmed.
