A French investigating magistrate published an opened letter to her government asking for "urgent" assistance at the end of October, causing a stir.

Belgium is now a narco-state, according to the official, and experts warned that the rule of law is threatened in this nation, which is located in the heart of Europe, whose capital is also the capital of the European Union ( EU).

Are we forming a drug-free state? Exaggerated? Our anti-drug inspector claimed that the development has already begun and that the Antwerp judge is one of the key points of cocaine entering Europe.

Drug trafficking was characterized by the investigating magistrate as an "organized risk that affects institutions. "

She continued," Big gang structures have been consolidated, becoming a parallel power that challenges both the police and the judiciary. "

Authorities say drug trafficking is a big issue in Belgium, but they refute the claim that it is already a narco-state.

Drug traffickers are taking advantage of Belgium's proper place and the port of Antwerp as a distribution point for illicit products as a result of a growing With the demand for medicines throughout Europe. The fact that Antwerp has one of the largest ports on the globe and has one of the most important factors, however, is what has made it a heroin hub in Europe. This allows for the concealment of illicit goods within shipments. The claim is "exaggerated," the statement read. " Antwerp has the second largest harbor in Europe, which usually receives goods from Latin America. So, it has become a common place for cocaine to enter, along with the interface of Rotterdam, according to Letizia Paoli, a researcher and professor at the University of Louvain's Faculty of Law. in Belgium.

Before the Belgians, the French regulators" started" the handles in Rotterdam," he says.

" I believe the claim of a "narco-state" is exaggerated, but there are definitely some worrying changes," he continues.

44 lots of cocaine were intercepted last year at the port of Antwerp by French customs officials, a substantial decrease from the 121 tons seized in 2023.

However, French authorities contend that these figures don't always indicate development.

51 tons of cocaine headed for Belgium were intercepted in South America during the first half of this year, a 155 % increase over the 20 tons that were seized during the same time last year.

The issue extends far beyond South America, though.

The Dominican Republic's authorities reported the arrest of more than nine tons of methamphetamine in December 2024, the largest cocaine-sequestration in the country's history. The drugs were discovered in two fruit pots from Guatemala that were intended for the port of Antwerp. 1, 977 instances of drug smuggling are reported in Belgium, not just in Antwerp. Pharmaceutical smuggling is likewise leaving its mark in Brussels, the capital of the nation and the EU. In 2023, according to Brussels police figures, 1, 977 drug trafficking cases were discovered, a 26 % increase over 2022 and a 76 % increase over 2015. In the French money, 6 595 drug-related incidents were recorded in 2023. Additionally, some people believe that the crime is related to drug trafficking and use.

In the French capital in 2024, 89 shootings were reported, and reports suggest that the number will be even higher this year.

Similar to last year, Brussels identified 16 locations that are deemed particularly risky as areas, with a focus on criminal gangs and drug trafficking.

Drug-related murders

A decade ago, there were several drug-related incidents, which was incredibly uncommon.

According to researcher Letizia Paoli," While in 2013 we found no deaths related to the cocaine industry in Belgium, we found that in Antwerp, the heart of cocaine smuggling, there were six deaths related to drugs," according to researcher Letizia Paoli.

" But if we take into account that there are not many drug-related murders in Belgium in a single month, then about 160 murders are committed in that country. " She clarifies that just six deaths in ten years are associated with high-level heroin trafficking in Antwerp, which is only 10 % of the murders. The available letter makes clear that criminal organizations have hacked into the police, prisons, norms, traditions, customs, and even the justice system. Additionally, it mentions that judges have been threatened and that the government should take activity. According to criminal justice advocate Letizia Paoli, she agrees with the recommendation for specialists to increase resources and provide greater safety to magistrates:" These are genuinely reasonable and necessary requests. She continues," But she insists that there is no justification for referring to Belgium as a narco-state. A narco-state, in her mind, has three characteristics: a very high amount of violent crime that affects community life, widespread fraud in drug-related crimes that affect the highest levels of government, and a substantial GDP-contribution drug economy.

He points out that none of these three conditions apply to Belgium.

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