Editor
Mechelen (The Brussels morning newspaper): In May 2024 German customs seized over a ton of cocaine in Hamburg, prompting a joint investigation with Belgium that uncovered a drug lab and an unlawful cigarette manufacturing unit main to 5 arrests.
In May 2024 German customs discovered over one ton of cocaine hidden in cargo on the port of Hamburg. This massive drug seizure led to a much bigger investigation, displaying {that a} well-organized legal group was concerned. The discovery revealed that this group was half of a bigger operation prompting authorities to look into the case additional.
What led to the Mechelen raids uncovering a global drug and cigarette trafficking operation?
It has been stated that the investigation confirmed that the legal group behind the drug cargo had operations in a number of international locations together with Belgium. Kristof Aerts from the Antwerp public prosecutor’s workplace confirmed that the group was energetic in Belgium too. This discovery led to joint efforts by German and Belgian authorities to interrupt up the legal community.
On 20th August tuesday the Federal Judicial Police carried out 5 home searches in and round Mechelen. They made two main discoveries: one warehouse in Mechelen had an unlawful drug lab the place medication had been being made and one other warehouse in Aartselaar had an unlawful cigarette manufacturing unit. These findings are half of a bigger investigation right into a legal community concerned in drug trafficking and different unlawful actions. The discovery of those services reveals the extent of the group’s operations.
During the raids police discovered a drug lab making oils for amphetamines and found about 1 million unlawful cigarettes in Aartselaar. They additionally seized 20 cellphones, 40,000 euros in money, 3 computer systems and a number of other luxurious vehicles. Five suspects together with a lady and 4 males from Belgium, Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, and Germany had been arrested. They are actually showing earlier than a decide in Mechelen to determine if they’ll keep in custody.
