The federal government is investing in the fight against drug trafficking at the Port of Zeebrugge, Finance Minister Vincent Van Peteghem said in response to a written question from parliamentarian Franky Demon.
A total of fifty additional staff will be recruited to enhance operations at various terminals, focusing primarily on scanning and surveillance.
Two mobile freight scanners have already been ordered and are expected to be delivered by the end of this year.
Last year, 9,211 scans were conducted at the port of Zeebrugge, leading to the seizure of over 4,900 kilogrammes of cocaine.
By the end of the first half of this year, 7,932 checks had been carried out, resulting in the interception of 250 kilogrammes of cannabis.
Demon emphasised that efforts to combat drug trafficking should not focus solely on the hotspot of the Port of Antwerp.
The Christen-Democratisch en Vlaams (CD&V) legislator highlighted the significance of the announced investments in the security of Bruges' port, its employees, and the city as a whole.
