Antwerp Port Investigation Leads to 11 Detentions in Major Drug Trafficking Bust

Investigation Uncovers Elaborate Smuggling Operations

An ongoing investigation into a significant drug trafficking organization utilizing the Port of Antwerp as a key entry point has led to the detention of 11 individuals. The operation, which commenced in late 2024, culminated in a series of raids last week across multiple Belgian locations, exposing audacious tactics employed by traffickers to smuggle narcotics into Europe.

Following 14 searches conducted in areas including Antwerp, Beveren, and Zwijndrecht, among others, 11 people were detained. Of these, five men aged between 20 and 36 have been formally placed under arrest and taken into custody, with two under electronic surveillance. Two other individuals were released under conditions, including a ban on entering the port area.

Sophisticated Concealment Methods Exposed

The investigation by Belgian authorities has shed light on the diverse and elaborate methods used by the criminal organization to bypass security checks. One notable tactic involved a container of bananas that was removed from the port, had several pallets of drugs retrieved, and was then reportedly refilled with bananas to match shipping weight before being returned to Antwerp.

Other methods uncovered include:

• Hiding nearly half a tonne of cocaine within used cars purchased in Miami, USA, and shipped to Antwerp via the Caribbean.
• Attempting to smuggle heroin by concealing it within kitchen equipment imported from Iran.
• Utilizing refrigerated compartments of containers, often originating from countries like Chile and Ecuador, to hide cocaine alongside legitimate cargo.
• Camouflaging cocaine within other goods such as avocados and coffee.

These findings underscore the adaptability of drug traffickers, who also employ chemical processes to disguise cocaine in other materials, complicating detection efforts.

Antwerp's Ongoing Battle Against Drug Trafficking

The Port of Antwerp, Europe's second-largest seaport, continues to be a primary gateway for cocaine entering the continent, predominantly from South America. Authorities seized a record 116 tonnes of cocaine in 2023 and 110 tonnes in 2024, highlighting the immense scale of the challenge. The port's extensive container traffic, refrigerated storage, and rapid transport links to the Netherlands make it an attractive target for criminal networks.

Belgian authorities have intensified their efforts to combat this illicit trade, including the establishment of a Port Security Corps and significant investments in scanning equipment and additional customs officers. Despite these measures, criminal groups frequently recruit vulnerable individuals, including minors, as 'uithalers' or container drug retrievers, to extract hidden packages of cocaine from containers. The ongoing investigation and recent arrests demonstrate the persistent commitment of law enforcement to dismantle these sophisticated drug trafficking operations.