45 Peterbos gang suspects on trial in Brussels over drug war
More than 40 defendants suspected of belonging to the Peterbos gang in Anderlecht are being tried at the Brussels criminal court over a drug war in the district, covering import, export and sale of cannabis and cocaine plus shootings. On the second day of the trial, several defendants admitted involvement while claiming they did not know shooting was planned.
On the second day of the Peterbos trial, concerning the drug war and shootings
around the eponymous district in Anderlecht (Brussels), more defendants broke
their silence.[1]Several defendants admitted their involvement in the facts
but claimed not to have known the full plan.[1]Before the Brussels criminal
court, more than forty defendants alleged to belong to the Peterbos drug gang
from the eponymous district in Anderlecht are on trial in the coming weeks.[2]The bulky case file covers not only the import, export and sale of cannabis and
cocaine, but also the bloody turf war fought at the end of 2023 against a rival
drug gang.[2]
45 defendants are prosecuted for offences ranging from attempted murder to drug
trafficking.[3]The Brussels prosecutor is pursuing the man in his thirties in
this trial for six attempted murders, together with a list of no fewer than 25
other charges.[2]
Most of the defendants before the Brussels criminal court partly admitted their
involvement, but in most cases said they did not know that shooting would follow
or that these were attempted murders.[4]
Photos and video
The Peterboswijk district in Brussels, with inset drugs boss 'Mara', who took inspiration from the cruel methods of French drug baron 'Mimo'. Photo: Marc Baert, inset: La CapitalePhoto details
Every number and detail the sources state, with the sources that state it.
Charged
45
Agency type
Court, Prosecutor
Cannabis
Herbal cannabis
Case stage
On trial
Sources
HLN.behln.beNLVorige maand nog veroordeeld voor foltering, nu duikt taxichauffeur op in ‘Peterbosproces’ rond Brusselse drugsoorlog: “Ik heb mijn les geleerd”
BRUZZbruzz.beNLKopstuk van drugsbende in Peterbos ontkent schietpartijen te hebben bevolen vanuit cel
RTBFrtbf.beFRProcès du Peterbos : la lutte de territoire à coups d’armes de guerre
BRUZZbruzz.beNLPeterbosproces: verdachte zegt dat ze niet wist dat ze vluchtauto had geregeld voor vriend
Open questions the AI reported
The exact number of adult defendants is reported as 45, with some outlets reporting 46; two minors were referred to a youth judge.
The HLN account is behind a paywall and only its teaser could be read.
No judgment has been rendered; the trial is expected to last several weeks with the prosecution case still to come.
The cannabis weight, value or number of plants involved in the trafficking is not given in the opened accounts.
Nineteen defendants are being tried at Liège's criminal court over a cocaine and cannabis network that police say operated from a pizzeria on rue Grétry. Officers seized 715 cannabis plants in the pizzeria's ground floor in March 2025 and 4,193 kg of cannabis at a suspect's Chaudfontaine home the same month; the main accused deny the facts and no verdict has been given.
A 38-year-old prisoner at Huy prison appeared in the Huy criminal court after picking up a parcel of cannabis thrown over the prison walls during his daily walk. He admitted taking it and was caught with it, and the court is due to rule on 3 December, with his lawyer and the prosecutor both seeking community service.
Brussels federal judicial police detained 15 people and charged seven with criminal organisation over marijuana imports from the United States after two pallets were intercepted. Searches mainly in Brussels seized cash, firearms and various drugs.
A 36-year-old man from Mechelen stood trial in the correctional court charged with possessing narcotics after police found almost 5 grams of hashish on him and a house search turned up another 42 grams, about 4,000 euros in cash and two user amounts of cocaine. The prosecutor asked for a one-year suspended sentence; the court will rule on 7 December.
