Brussels police seize weapons, drugs and cash in Porte de Hal neighbourhood
Police have seized 2.7kg of drugs, eight weapons and 93,000 euros during operations in the Porte de Hal neighbourhood of Brussels, close to Midi station, in the past three months.
Arrest warrants have been issued for 36 people on charges including attempted murder, attempted manslaughter, robbery, money laundering and possession and sale of narcotics, the Brussels public prosecutor’s office reports.
Since 1 April, the Brussels City/Ixelles and Midi police zones have been conducting a joint security operation at the Porte de Hal park and its surroundings “in order to curb crime and nuisance, which are causing a great sense of insecurity among the residents and users of the neighbourhood”, the public prosecutor’s office said.
The area has been the scene of several violent clashes between drug gangs in recent months. One person was killed in a shooting on Square Jacques Franck in February, and two people died when gunmen fired on a cafe terrace in Rue de l’Argonne in June.
'Concrete results'
In total, police seized 93,375 euros, 1,535kg of hard drugs, 1,200kg of soft drugs, seven handguns and one military firearm. Fourteen minors were detained, five of whom were placed at the disposal of a juvenile court.
Sixteen convictions were handed down by the Brussels correctional court, ranging from autonomous probation sentences to prison terms of 14 months to three years.
“The cooperation between our municipalities and police zones in the fight against crime and drug trafficking is bearing fruit,” Brussels mayor Philippe Close said. “We persevere and continue to see concrete results on the ground thanks to our police officers, who are doing an impeccable job.”
The scene of a fatal shooting in Saint-Gilles, Brussels, February 2024 © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK
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