Belgian authorities announced on Tuesday that 22 people, including three police officers, had been arrested in a major anti-drug operation targeting suspected cocaine smugglers in the port of Antwerp.
Federal police said about 350 police officers were deployed, mainly in Brussels and Antwerp, and conducted 45 searches, seizing cash, luxury cars and handguns.
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Belgian authorities announced on Tuesday that 22 people, including three police officers, had been arrested in a major anti-drug operation targeting suspected cocaine smugglers in the port of Antwerp.
Federal police said about 350 police officers were deployed, mainly in Brussels and Antwerp, and conducted 45 searches, seizing cash, luxury cars and handguns.
Police said the raid was part of an investigation launched in February 2023 following “several serious crimes” and uncovered drug trafficking “from local dealers to import/export operations.” It is said that
Investigators were able to decrypt several mobile phones equipped with Sky ECC, a secure communications app used by criminal organizations.
Police said the communications revealed that the cocaine was being shipped to Europe via the port of Antwerp, adding: “It is suspected that certain individuals wanted to use helicopters to transport the cocaine to the UK. There is.”
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Tuesday’s arrests came amidst a major drug trafficking trial in Belgium that currently has more than 120 defendants, largely due to investigators’ efforts to decrypt encrypted messaging apps. Thanks to you.
Antwerp has seen a record number of drug seizures by police in recent years and is a major port for cocaine flowing into Europe from South America as drug use on the continent increases.
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