Fifteen individuals involved in a large-scale cannabis trafficking operation between Spain and Belgium have been arrested in Brussels.
Several of the suspects have previous convictions for drug-related offences. One of the arrested suspects is Ugo Lemaire, the son of former MEP Marie Arena, according to Le Soir and RTBF.
The investigation began in July 2023 after the Central Service for Combating Corruption (CDBC) found indications of drug trafficking in another judicial inquiry.
Further investigation by the Brussels Federal Judicial Police led to a series of raids on Monday in the judicial district of Brussels and the districts of Walloon Brabant, Liège and Namur.
The suspects have been handed over to a Brussels investigating judge who will question them on 3 and 4 February 2025.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office is not providing any additional information at this stage.
