Belgian customs seize 55 tonnes of cocaine at Antwerp port

21 January 2026

Belgian customs seized around 55 tonnes of cocaine at the port of Antwerp in 2025, the Finance ministry said on Wednesday. The drugs were found in containers arriving from South America.

The figure is higher than the 44 tonnes seized in 2024, but far below the record year of 2023, when more than 120 tonnes were intercepted.

Customs officers also reported a sharp rise in cannabis seizures. These increased from about 5 tonnes in 2024 to more than 20 tonnes last year. Most of the cannabis came from Canada, where legal production has led to surplus supplies.

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One of the biggest seizures of the year took place just before Christmas. In the night of 23 to 24 December, customs officers intercepted more than 5.7 tonnes of cocaine at the port. The drugs were hidden under a shipment of bananas in a container from Ecuador. Authorities said it was the largest single cocaine haul of 2025. The federal judicial police are investigating.

Police warn that lower cocaine figures do not mean drug trafficking has slowed. Criminal groups are believed to be using new routes, including smaller ports. Even so, authorities say tougher checks in Antwerp are starting to have an effect.

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