Belgium, the country that hosts the European Union, is facing a serious security crisis with the spread of drug trafficking factions. Recent police operations reveal the infiltration of crime into institutions, leading authorities to warn of the risk of the country turning into a narcostate.
What is a narcostate and why is the term being used for Belgium?
The narcostate is a country where drug trafficking has become so powerful that it corrupts and infiltrates the main government institutions, such as the police and justice. The term is being used because Belgian authorities, including judges and the national drug commissioner, say drug corruption already affects the judicial system, customs agents and port employees, undermining the authority of the state.
How big is the trafficking problem in the country?
Belgium is today the main entry point for drugs into the European Union, with emphasis on the Port of Antwerp. In 2023, the country led the ranking of cocaine seizures in Europe, with 123 tons intercepted. This record volume fuels violence and increases the financial power of criminal factions to corrupt public agents.
How does this situation affect the lives of the population?
The population faces a significant increase in violence. In Brussels alone, 78 drug-related shootings were recorded in less than a year, with seven deaths. In addition, police report an increase in kidnappings, torture and mutilations. A judge even declared that nowadays it is as simple as using a social network to order attacks with bombs or weapons of war in the country.
Who are the main groups behind this crime wave?
Although there are several factions, the most recent operations highlight the strong presence of groups from the “Albanian criminal underworld”. A major police operation in Brussels, which arrested eight people, targeted suspects linked to these networks. The case was related to death threats against one of the country’s main prosecutors.
What is the Belgian government doing to reverse the situation?
The government seeks to intensify actions and announced a plan for the military to help the police in the neighborhoods most affected by violence in Brussels. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever also asked the United States government for help in combating transnational drug trafficking, recognizing the need for stronger international cooperation.
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