Anderlecht (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A major police raid with 800 officers targets drug gangs in Anderlecht’s Peterbos area, supported by a helicopter. Triggered by rising gang violence, including a February 7 murder.
As VRT News reported, a big police action is happening right now in the Peterbos area of Anderlecht. It started just before 9 in the morning on June 11, 2025. About 800 police officers from different teams are involved, including both local and federal police. The public prosecutor’s office confirmed this.
A helicopter is also flying over the area to help. Police have closed off the whole neighbourhood so they can search everything carefully. They are going from street to street and building to building. The prosecutor said the goal is to fight drug crime. They are not looking for one person or group in particular, but want to break up the gangs that are active there.
What is the impact of the recent large-scale police operation in Peterbos on organised crime in Brussels?
The Peterbos area has a history of drug-related crime. In the past, smaller operations led to drug seizures, arrests, and the breaking up of international drug networks. But now, police plan to stay in the area as long as needed to stop gang activity by being everywhere. Instead of just going after specific people or places, they’re taking control of whole neighbourhoods affected by crime.
According to officials, poverty, joblessness, and limited opportunities for young people have made it easy for organised crime to thrive. The “Peterbos gang” is at the centre of this, using the area as a key spot for drug dealing.
The gang started small but now wants to control more of Brussels, including areas like Saint-Gilles, Forest, and Molenbeek. This has led to fights with other gangs, resulting in a deadly turf war.
On February 7, 2025, a 54-year-old man was killed in Peterbos, and authorities believe it was connected to these gang conflicts. The violence in Anderlecht, especially in the Peterbos neighbourhood, is part of a larger fight between criminal gangs who want control over territory. Officials mentioned that these gangs are powerful and connected to big international crime groups.
Some have links to the Albanian mafia, the North African Moro mafia, and drug gangs from Marseille. These groups are known for selling drugs like cannabis and cocaine. They also use serious violence and threats to stay in power.
The police zone South, which includes Brussels Midi, is keeping a close eye on the situation. They have increased patrols, are watching suspects more closely, and have made several arrests. But the police are facing big problems. Gangs are using teenagers for their work. Many people in the neighbourhood are scared and don’t want to talk to the police.
The crime groups also operate in different countries, which makes them hard to stop. Officials mentioned that the Peterbos case shows that organised crime is a big problem in Brussels. The solution will need more than just police action. The city also needs to invest in better housing, schools, and social support to fix the problems that lead to violence.
