BRUSSELS (Brussels Morning) – Eleven suspects were arrested in twenty house searches yesterday and today, the Brussels prosecutor’s office reports. It concerned a judicial investigation into drug trafficking in the Navez district of Schaerbeek. Fourteen kilograms of drugs and 141,000 euros of money were seized during the action.
The local police of the Brussels North zone (Schaerbeek, Evere and Sint-Joost-Ten-Node) launched an investigation into the sale of drugs, especially in the vicinity of schools. As a result, the police were able to confiscate more than 3 kilograms of cannabis between January 1, 2020 and October 2021. In the wake of those investigations, the police managed to uncover a large-scale drug network in the Navez neighborhood.
Twenty house searches
The investigation was launched after local residents in the Navez neighborhood in Schaerbeek complained about drug dealers trading on the street, in the immediate vicinity of schools. In response to these complaints, the Brussels North police opened various investigations and were able to seize 3.1 kilograms of cannabis and about ten grams of cocaine between 1 January 2020 and October 2021.
Twenty houses were searched and eleven arrests were made yesterday and this morning, carried out by about a hundred police officers. “Seven suspects were subsequently charged by the investigating judge for the sale of narcotics and placed under arrest warrant,” said public prosecutor Martin François. An eighth suspect was also suspected and subsequently released under conditions. Two others were released after questioning by police. The last suspect has yet to be brought before the investigating judge.”
During the searches, the police seized 55,000 euros in cash. About 91,000 euros parked in various bank accounts was also seized. “In addition, 50 grams of cocaine, 14 kilograms of cannabis, a 9mm pistol, six vehicles and a luxury watch and fourteen bottles of muscle enhancers were seized,” said François.
Eight suspects were charged with selling narcotics in association, and seven of them were placed under arrest warrant. The eighth was released on conditions. Two arrested persons were released by the police after their questioning, and the eleventh suspect has yet to appear before the investigating judge.