Federal judicial police in Brussels uncovered a structured international drug-trafficking network after two pallets of marijuana from the United States were intercepted.[1] The operation was led by the drugs section of the Brussels Federal Judicial Police in close collaboration with the Brussels prosecutor’s office under the direction of an investigating judge.[1] Officers carried out 27 searches mainly in Brussels and deprived 15 people of liberty.[1] Seven people were charged with criminal organisation in connection with importing narcotics, and five of them were placed under arrest warrant.[2] The 28 November overview describes the case as a cannabis-importation network from the United States dismantled in Brussels with seven people charged by the Brussels federal judicial police.[3] Analysis of seized telephones showed the detainees acted for a criminal organisation active in Brussels and beyond.[1] The group had organised logistical support for vehicles, money transfers and delivery management.[1]

One of the main suspects was reported to be on the run in the United Arab Emirates.[2] The searches seized a large sum of money, several firearms and different types of drugs.[1] The prosecutor’s office called the operation a major step against trafficking structures active in the Brussels area.[1]