Six Albanian men aged between 29 and 57 were arrested during the searches.[1] Five simultaneous house searches took place under an investigating judge on Monday 9 November 2026 in Etterbeek, Evere, Leuven, Overijse and Tervuren.[2] Police found three professional cannabis plantations during the searches, two of them fully operational and active.[3] Leuven prosecutor’s office spokesperson Ellen Durie said two of the locations held fully operational and active plantations.[4] The searches took place in the districts of Leuven, Halle-Vilvoorde and Brussels.[3]

Officers found more than 2,000 cannabis plants in total.[2] At the other locations investigators found large quantities of harvested marijuana.[2] The plantations were dismantled.[2] Almost 55 kg of harvested marijuana was seized in the case.[5] Investigators also seized more than 17,000 euros in cash.[2] All the cannabis found will be destroyed by the police.[1]

The six suspects were brought before the investigating judge on Tuesday 10 November and detained.[2] They were charged with drug-law offences, specifically cannabis cultivation and membership of a criminal organisation.[2] They were taken to prison and were due before the raadkamer, the chamber that rules on pre-trial detention, on Friday 13 November.[2]

The investigation began in 2026 and targeted a professionally organised criminal organisation active in cannabis cultivation.[2] The Leuven local detective unit led the operation with support from other police services and specialist partners, and the aviation police from Charleroi contributed for several months.[2] Durie said investigators were still establishing each suspect’s role.[6] The investigation continues under the investigating judge.[2]