Belgium Busts International Cocaine Ring Reliant on Corrupt Police

In the Netherlands, three people were placed in custody before their transfer to Belgium and one suspect was arrested in Spain.

Supported by the EU agency for criminal justice cooperation Eurojust, the investigation established that the network managed to import 10 shipments of 650 kilos of cocaine each, with an estimated street value of at least €325 million.

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“The quantity we seized can seem gigantic, but it's infinitely small compared to what really goes through," Van Leeuw said.

With thousands of containers reaching Antwerp every day, the Belgian port city is one of Europe’s main ports of entry to Europe for cocaine.

Drug trafficking in the city has led to a surge of violence recently, with gun battles and grenade attacks frequently taking place.

“It's not only cocaine that is imported," Van Leeuw said.

“Criminal organizations also lodge themselves in our country, bringing along their violent and ruthless methods. We have seen what this led to in South American countries." 

(Writer: Samuel Petrequin) 

Source: https://apnews.com/aa283b7917cadb512f8b6d63c4b2bcc2