Large-scale police operation in Brussels results in dozens of arrests and drug seizures

A large-scale police operation took place across the entire territory of the Brussels-Capital Region last week. During Friday's operation, more than 36kg of drugs were found, 23 illegal weapons seized and 35 people taken into custody.
The operation was led by the Brussels public prosecutor’s office and was carried out simultaneously across the six Brussels police zones, in close cooperation with the federal police. The operation forms part of a strengthened approach to tackling drug trafficking and organised crime.
In total, 1,220 people and 443 vehicles were checked, with 35 people taken into custody and six people administratively arrested.
“The results of the operation are significant,” the public prosecutor’s office said. The police seized more than 36.5kg of drugs, as well as 23 prohibited weapons, including five firearms. In addition, 51,150 euros in cash was seized. For drug-related offences, 125 proposals for immediate amicable settlement were drawn up.
According to the public prosecutor’s office, every person caught in the act faced appropriate criminal consequences. These ranged from an out-of-court settlement to a summons via summary proceedings or, in more serious cases, an arrest warrant.
Brussels public prosecutor Julien Moinil emphasised the importance of the operation. “Although there has been a slight improvement in certain areas of crime in Brussels, this must not distract us from our objectives in the fight against drug trafficking, which remains a deep-rooted scourge in the capital,” he said.
“What we are seeing on the ground shows that the battle is far from over. That is why we are carrying out operations of this kind, and we will continue to do so.”
Brussels public prosecutor Julien Moinil © BELGA PHOTO MARIUS BURGELMAN
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