19 administrative and 4 judicial arrests in Peterbos police operation
During a major police operation in the Peterbos district of Anderlecht on Wednesday, 19 people were administratively arrested and four judicially. Police chief Jurgen De Landsheer of the Brussels South zone announced this on Thursday.
Drugs and at least one weapon were found, according to prosecutor Julien Moinil, though the operation was not specifically aimed at drug gangs. "This was a security operation," he said.
"We have known for a long time that there are certain places in Brussels where drug trafficking has established itself and has penetrated deeply, and the Peterbos district is one of them," Moinil stated. He explained that the public prosecutor’s office has launched a five-phase strategy to address the issue, and Wednesday’s sweep marked the first phase. "The intention was not to target specific organisations, but to check a whole series of empty flats that were being used as a hiding place."
The Peterbos site contains 1,500 apartments across 18 blocks, with 271 currently vacant due to renovation. Around 900 officers from local and federal forces searched all of them. "We also checked 411 people and 117 vehicles," De Landsheer said. "We found two reported individuals, 19 administrative arrests, and four judicial arrests for illegal employment." Precision scales and other drug-related materials were also discovered.
"This is just the first stage in our strategy," Moinil added. "It will be a long-term project, but the Peterbos has been in the hands of drug gangs for long enough. It is time to put an end to that."
Police operation in Antwerp
Meanwhile, a separate police action took place Wednesday evening in Antwerp North, following a fatal stabbing a few weeks ago and ongoing drug-related violence. Five arrests were made for offences including public drunkenness, illegal residence and possession of prohibited weapons. Police said the operation was "not a symbolic action" but part of broader, ongoing efforts in the neighbourhood.
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