In the fight against drug crime in Antwerp, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo advocates the creation of a specialised port police force. Having more people on the ground will help guard the gigantic domain against drug smugglers, the prime minister stated to VTM News on Sunday.
Establishing a port police force is one of the three steps announced by Prime Minister De Croo to combat drug crime in Antwerp and the city's port, which is a global hub for cocaine smuggling.
However, the domain is huge – 120 square kilometres – which is why De Croo wants to establish a new port police force.
According to the PM, the force must be made up of regular police officers. They have to be better armed and able to make arrests and interrogations, he explained.
It remains to be defined how people can join, however, the idea is not to simply transfer personnel from other cities to the port.
Increased checks and larger usage fines
The second key step to tackle the drug world involves additional checks on suspicious containers. As is known, five additional scanners and additional customs officers are on their way to the port.
The intention is to increase the number of containers checked to 300,000 to 400,000 a year, up from some 40,000 today. In addition, De Croo wants fines for cocaine use to go up to €1,000.
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Earlier, his party colleague and Minister of Justice Vincent Van Quickenborne (Open VLD) had already announced that he would adjust the fine system for those caught taking cocaine.
Prime Minister De Croo also stated that the current fines (€75 to €150) are “unreasonably low” for those willing to pay €50 per gram.
