Interior Minister Bernard Quintin (MR) says the Federal Government will "review existing measures" in place to combat drug trafficking and violence following an emergency meeting on Monday morning.
The meeting was called on Sunday in the wake of five separate shootings that have occurred in Brussels in the past two weeks. Before the discussion, Quintin had said his aim was to strengthen the Federal Judicial Police and provide more support to local police forces.
After discussing these propositions with Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden (CD&V), National Drug Commissioner Ine Van Wymersch, Federal Police Chief Eric Snoeck and National Crisis Centre head Leen Depuydt, Quintin has stated that "we will review existing measures to determine which ones may need strengthening."
He also aims to devise short and long-term strategies to curb the entire drug production chain. "It will be a prolonged effort requiring substantial human, financial and technological resources."
Reinforcements in the Midi police zone (which includes Anderlecht) will be maintained for "as long as necessary," he added.
A shooting at Clemenceau metro station on Saturday killed one person and brings the total count to five shootings in just two weeks. One occurred at Saint-Josse-Ten-Noode, two others at Clemenceau and one at Peterbos, Anderlecht. One other person died during the last incident.
Justice Minister: 'The people of Brussels feel abandoned'
The emergency meeting on Monday 17 February 2025. Credit: Belga / Eric Lalmand
After the emergency meeting, Justice Minister Verlinden emphasised the importance of addressing the Brussels population's feelings of insecurity. "We must tackle different links in the chain and strengthen the police force," she stated.
In terms of justice, the focus should be on disrupting the financial gains of drug gangs. "As long as this profit model remains, young criminals will continue to be lured into dangerous activities."
The Federal Government intends to employ "new technologies" to recover resources from drug gangs. This includes preventing them from converting their drug money into cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. Authorities also aim to confiscate assets invested in infrastructure by dealers and restrict illegal arms trafficking.
Verlinden also wishes to combat drug trafficking within prisons. She aims to prevent incarcerated drug criminals from continuing their activities from behind bars and address prison overcrowding in the long term.
Police support in the Midi police zone, which includes Anderlecht, will be maintained and reinforced with Federal Police resources, according to Verlinden.
Finally, the Justice Minister highlighted the need for a Brussels Regional Government, insisting that regional action is essential. "The people of Brussels feel abandoned in this situation," she said.
