Brussels Anti-Banditry Brigade Seizes Over 1 Million Euros in 2026
The Anti-Banditry Brigade (BAB) of the Brussels-West police zone has seized more than 1,003,980 euros since January 2026, according to RTBF. The specialized unit has also interpellated 133 people during the same period, the police zone announced Thursday in a press release.
Key Enforcement Results
Of the 133 individuals arrested, 112 were placed at the disposal of the prosecutor’s office and 35 were placed under arrest warrants, La Libre reported. Beyond the cash seizure, the brigade confiscated 28 kilos of cannabis, 22.5 kilos of cocaine, and 920,000 counterfeit cigarettes.
The brigade consists of 27 collaborators and targets drug trafficking through patrols and targeted controls. It also performs initial investigative duties following arrests and intervenes in support during high-risk missions in connection with specialized federal units, according to DH Net.
The Brussels-West police zone covers five municipalities in the western part of the Brussels-Capital Region: Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, Jette, Ganshoren, Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, and Koekelberg. This area has been a focal point of drug enforcement efforts due to its position within the capital and the presence of trafficking networks operating there.
Sustained Enforcement Against Drug Networks
The 2026 results build on a pattern of sustained enforcement. In the first half of the year, the zone reported 270 judicial arrests in the fight against narcotics, with more than 160 kilos of drugs seized and 240,585.92 euros in cash confiscated, according to BrusselsToday. Police chief Xavier Legrand expressed pride in the work of his officers, stating they “work tirelessly to fight against the sale of narcotics and the nuisances it generates in our neighborhoods.”
In 2025, the zone’s drug action plan resulted in 475 judicial arrests, 195 kg of cannabis seized, and 464,770 euros confiscated, as L’Avenir reported. The BAB has also demonstrated its capacity for major operations: in December 2020, the unit made one of the largest cash seizures in Belgian history, recovering 1,785,000 euros in small denominations during a traffic stop in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, as RTBF documented.
Broader Drug Violence Crisis in Brussels
The announcement comes amid an escalating drug-related violence crisis across the Belgian capital. Brussels has recorded 69 shootings in 2026, with most attributed to conflicts between criminal drug trafficking networks, according to RTBF. King’s Prosecutor Julien Moinil warned in August that “anyone can get hit by a bullet,” noting that an innocent father was shot and left paraplegic in April. The prosecutor also revealed that 93 adult shooters or masterminds have been placed under arrest warrants, along with 14 minors, most of them Belgian or French.
In response, the Belgian government has declared a “national emergency” approach to drug trafficking, with Interior Minister Bernard Quintin promising 40 additional police officers for Brussels. A regional drug commissioner for the capital is expected to be appointed by the end of September, and Brussels police zones have been placed under a unified command structure to coordinate the response.
Analysis and Implications
The BAB’s 2026 results highlight both the scale of the challenge and the effectiveness of targeted enforcement operations. The seizure of more than one million euros in cash represents a significant disruption to criminal financing, while the 133 arrests demonstrate sustained pressure on trafficking networks operating in the western municipalities.
However, the broader context of escalating violence suggests that enforcement alone may not be sufficient. As Prosecutor Moinil has emphasized, the leaders of these criminal organizations often operate from abroad or even from prison cells, directing violence remotely. The government’s planned measures, including the appointment of a regional drug commissioner and enhanced police coordination, reflect a recognition that a more comprehensive strategy is needed.
What to Watch For
As authorities intensify their response to drug-related violence, the BAB’s results underscore the scale of illegal proceeds flowing through Brussels’ western districts. The appointment of a regional drug commissioner and the deployment of additional officers will be closely watched as indicators of whether the enforcement push can keep pace with the violence. Whether the current momentum in seizures and arrests translates into a durable reduction in drug-related crime will depend on the success of these broader institutional reforms.