Organized crime is now a \u201cparallel power\u201d challenging the police and judiciary, an Antwerp magistrate has warned<\/p>\n
Belgium is becoming a \u201cnarco state\u201d as drug gangs extend their influence over policing and the judiciary, an investigating judge has reportedly warned in an anonymous letter published on the official website of the Belgian court system on Monday.
\nThe letter, which is addressed to the Belgian parliament\u2019s Justice Committee, claims the situation in Antwerp and across Belgium has gone beyond ordinary criminal activity, describing an organized threat capable of undermining the country\u2019s institutions.
\n\u201cExtensive mafia-like structures have taken root, becoming a parallel power that challenges not only the police but also the judiciary,\u201d the letter reads.
\nThe letter argued that Belgium now has all the hallmarks of a narco-state, such as a vast illegal economy, systemic corruption and escalating violence. It warned that drug trafficking has created a \u201cbillion-dollar economy operating outside official channels\u201d through the port of Antwerp.
\nAccording to the judge, corruption and intimidation are spreading through Belgian institutions, with port workers, customs officers, police and even prison staff being bought off or coerced. Drug gangs also enforce their control through torture, kidnappings, and bomb attacks on private homes.<\/p>\n
Read more<\/p>\n
Global cocaine production hits all-time high \u2013 UN<\/p>\n
Some members of the judiciary have been forced to live in safe houses under police protection for months due to direct threats to their lives and families, the author said.
\nBelgian Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden told the broadcaster VRT on Monday that the situation described by the judge was \u201cunacceptable\u201d and pledged to take measures to increase the level of security for justice system workers.
\nThe judge warned that such intimidation is weakening Belgium\u2019s justice system and, by extension, its democracy. Appealing to parliament, the letter urged a comprehensive policy to ensure magistrates can work safely and effectively.
\nBelgium is a major entry point for cocaine into Europe via the Port of Antwerp (and the linked Port of Antwerp-Bruges), one of Europe\u2019s largest maritime hubs.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: Drug traces found in EU state parliament \u2013 media<\/p>\n
In 2024, Belgian customs officers intercepted 44 tonnes of cocaine there, down from a record 121 tonnes the year before. But officials said the decline did not signal progress but rather indicated that smugglers were adapting their tactics by splitting shipments into smaller loads to evade detection.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Organized crime is now a \u201cparallel power\u201d challenging the police and judiciary, an Antwerp magistrate has warned Belgium is becoming a \u201cnarco state\u201d as drug gangs extend their influence over…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":21345,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":[],"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","footnotes":""},"categories":[4,6,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21344","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-economy","category-environment","category-politics"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t