JusticeEurope
No Appeal for Costa Figure After Prosecutor's Error
A procedural lapse by Belgium's federal prosecutor's office means Tom Bastiaanse's 12-year Costa sentence is now final, cutting retrials from 43 to 42.
—5 min read
Tag
#Drug Trafficking
33 articles
Crime & JusticeBelgium
Brussels Opens 19th Drug Hotspot in Ixelles
Brussels opens its 19th drug-trafficking hotspot in Ixelles' Gray district, expanding a contested strategy as officials weigh displacement risks.
—5 min read
CrimeEurope
Brussels Matonge Drug Trial Opens With 46 Defendants
A major drug trafficking trial opened in Brussels with 46 defendants accused of running a 6 million euro network from the Matonge district.
—5 min read
Crime and Justice
Brussels Anti-Banditry Brigade Seizes Over 1M Euros in 2026
Brussels-West Anti-Banditry Brigade seizes over 1 million euros and arrests 133 people in 2026 drug enforcement operations.
—4 min read
Justice
Costa Trial Appeal: 43 Defendants Head to Antwerp Court
Belgium's Costa drug trial moves to appeal: dozens of defendants, including key figures, face retrial before the Antwerp Court of Appeal.
—4 min read
Crime
DOJ Charges 81 in Puerto Rico Gang Takedown
Justice Department charges 81 members of Los Baja Deo gang in Puerto Rico for drug trafficking, firearms violations, and violence.
—5 min read
Crime
Saint-Gilles Shooting: One Injured, Two Suspects Arrested
Gunfire in Saint-Gilles leaves one injured and two suspects arrested, following a weekend of escalating shootings across Brussels' police zone.
—4 min read
Crime
105 kg Cocaine Seized in Antwerp Port, Hidden in Cargo
Belgian customs intercepted 105.4 kg of cocaine hidden in bananas and frozen meat at Antwerp port, underscoring drug trafficking challenges.
—4 min read
PoliticsJustice
Belgium's 'pay-to-stay' drug lord plan draws expert fire
Belgium's plan to make drug lords pay for imprisonment draws expert criticism as symbolic politics.
—4 min read
CrimeBelgium
Molenbeek: Gunfire and Molotov Cocktail Strike Same Street
Gunfire injured one and a Molotov cocktail hit the same Molenbeek street within hours, the fourth shooting in 11 days in the Brussels municipality.
—4 min read
International Politics
Maduro Gets June 2027 Trial Date in US Drug Case
A US judge sets June 2027 trial for Venezuela's Maduro and his wife on drug charges as lawyers prepare sovereign immunity challenge.
—5 min read
International PoliticsLaw
Maduro Trial Set for June 2027 as Immunity Battle Begins
A US judge sets June 2027 trial for Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro as his lawyers prepare to challenge the indictment on sovereign immunity grounds.
—5 min read
BelgiumCrime
Brussels Crime Paradox: Record Murders and Drug Seizures
Brussels hits record highs in attempted murders and drug seizures while thefts fall to historic lows, revealing a city in crisis.
—4 min read
Crime
Brussels Drug Bust: 14 Arrested in Major Anti-Drug Operation
Belgian police arrested 14 suspects and seized drugs, cash, and weapons in one of the largest anti-drug operations in Brussels this year.
—4 min read
Crime
6,000 Laughing Gas Canisters Seized, Then Stolen Back
Belgian police seized 6,000 laughing gas canisters but left them in the traffickers' hangar due to lack of storage. The haul was then stolen back.
—4 min read
Law & OrderChina
China Seizes 4.07 Tons of Drugs at Borders in H1 2026
China's border authorities seized 4.07 tons of drugs in H1 2026, cracking 186 cases and arresting 243 suspects, the NIA announced.
—4 min read
MilitaryDrug Enforcement
U.S. Strike on Drug Boat Kills Two, Six Survivors in Pacific
U.S. military strikes alleged drug boat in Eastern Pacific, killing two and leaving six survivors as Operation Southern Spear toll exceeds 210.
—5 min read
MilitaryPolitics
US Strike on Drug Boat Kills 3, Bringing Total to 211
A US military strike on a suspected drug boat in the eastern Pacific killed 3, bringing Operation Southern Spear's total to at least 211.
—4 min read
CrimeInternational
Antwerp Drug Criminal Executed Near Barcelona Police Station
A Serbian-Antwerp drug trafficker wanted by Belgium was executed in broad daylight outside a Barcelona police station, highlighting Balkan cartel reach.
—4 min read
CrimeInternational
Three Wanted Drug Criminals Extradited from UAE to Belgium
Belgium receives three wanted drug criminals extradited from the UAE, bringing total extraditions to 16 under a 2021 bilateral treaty.
—5 min read
National SecurityPolitics
U.S. Strike on Alleged Drug Boat Kills 1, Leaves 2 Survivors
A U.S. military strike on an alleged drug smuggling boat in the eastern Pacific killed one and left two survivors, bringing the death toll to at least 208.
—4 min read
JusticePolitics
Van Quickenborne Kidnap Charges Dropped; Suspects Face Arms
Belgian court drops attempted kidnapping charges against six Dutch suspects in the Van Quickenborne plot, but refers them for weapons possession.
—4 min read
CrimeMilitary
Suspects Crash Camp Pendleton Gate With 112 Pounds of Drugs
Two suspects crashed through a Camp Pendleton gate with 112 pounds of cocaine and fentanyl, triggering a six-hour manhunt involving 30 personnel.
—3 min read
CrimeEurope
€8M Seized in Anti-Money Laundering Raids Across Brussels
Belgian police seize €8 million, luxury vehicles, and watches in 17 coordinated anti-money laundering raids across Brussels, arresting six suspects.
—4 min read
CrimeInternational
Antwerp Drug Lords Held in Morocco; 'Black' Faces 34 Years
Moroccan police arrest four Antwerp drug traffickers including Abdelilah El Messaoudi, alias 'Black,' who faces 34 years for cocaine crimes.
—4 min read
Crime & Justice
Seven Men Arrested in Willebroek Drug Bust
Belgian police arrest seven men in Willebroek drug bust, seizing cocaine, cannabis, cash, and weapons from a garage box used to supply couriers.
—4 min read
MilitaryPolitics
US Strikes on Drug Boats Kill Over 200, Raising Questions
US strikes on suspected drug boats under Operation Southern Spear have killed over 200 people, sparking debate over legality and effectiveness.
—5 min read
CrimeTransport
How FlixBus Became a 'Crime Bus': Europe's Security Gap
An investigation reveals FlixBus has become a vehicle for drug trafficking, weapons smuggling, and human trafficking across Europe.
—6 min read
MilitaryInternational
Two Survivors Left at Sea After US Strike on Pacific Boat
US military strike on alleged drug boat in Pacific kills one, leaves two survivors at sea. Pentagon watchdog reviewing Operation Southern Spear.
—4 min read
CrimeSociety
From Street Beggar to Coke Diplomat: Ex-Drug Lord's Memoir
Ali Koleilat, former drug and arms trafficker who supplied Liberian dictator Charles Taylor, publishes memoir 'De Coke-Diplomaat' after US prison.
—4 min read
CrimeUnited States
Feds Seize $6.4M in Cocaine at LA Port, Arrest Smuggler
Federal agents seized 500 pounds of cocaine aboard an oil tanker at the Port of Los Angeles. Cartel members radioed the vessel demanding drugs.
—4 min read
CrimeJustice
Flakka Makers Sentenced to 40 Months in Antwerp Court
Four sentenced in Antwerp for making flakka, the 'zombie drug.' Ringleaders who compared themselves to Breaking Bad characters got 40 months.
—4 min read
Crime & Justice
Falzone Trial Twist and Aborted Bolle Jos Operation
Belgian justice: dramatic premeditation twist in the Paolo Falzone murder trial and aborted high-seas arrest of drug trafficker 'Bolle Jos'.
—6 min read