Already more drug loops caught in Antwerp harbor than in very 2024 (Antwerp)

According to the police, it is also striking that the caught perpetrators are getting younger and younger. Last year, 16 suspects were minors, now the counter is already 31. « Criminal groups consciously recruit vulnerable young people and have them perform the risky assignments against payment, » it sounds.

Whether more caught elderers also means that more drugs are being smuggled in is not clear. It was two years ago at the beginning of May that the shipping police in Antwerp was reinforced in the fight with drug crime, and there was more police present on the site day and night. In 2023 that immediately led to a record of 150 arrests, in 2024 there were 128 although more checks had been carried out. The increased police presence may have caused more caution in the perpetrator, it sounds, and they saw that they had to adjust their modus operandi.

« Since the end of last year we see that smaller parties drugs are being smuggled into the port and that small groups are constantly being picked up, » the police now say. « If they are arrested, then other executors are soon ready. That results in a record number of arrests. » The elderers would not always fully realize that they risk heavy penalties and fines, and are also at risk by penetrating busy port sites.

Most detestants have the Dutch (61) or Belgian (47) nationality, but there are also Albanians, French and Moroccans. The share of minors is on the rise, possibly because they are more easily influenced and/or risk less heavy punishments, although the police emphasize that minor elderly always come before the juvenile court.