The Borgerhout furniture business allegedly served as a front for hashish trafficking between Morocco and Belgium: hashish hidden in furniture was moved from Morocco to Belgium while part of the proceeds was reinvested in Morocco.[1][2] The judicial investigation opened in 2025 over suspected criminal use of the business for drug imports.[1][2]
On 30 June 2026 the investigating judge ordered searches; the 61-year-old shop owner was arrested and remanded the next day on suspicion of narcotics trafficking in association.[1][2] The council chamber confirmed his continued detention, with a further hearing set for 19 August.[1][2] The business, which had filed no tax returns since 2019 and held no VAT number yet kept receiving payments including cash deposits, was sealed.[1][2] The investigation under an investigating judge with the Antwerp local detective branch continues.[1][2]