Belgium transit for illicit drugs 04/03/2008 00:00

According to report by U.S. State Department, Belgium is a crucial transit point for a variety of illegal drugs, especially cocaine and heroin.

According to the most recent drugs report by the U.S. State Department, Belgium is a crucial transit point for a variety of illegal drugs, especially cocaine and heroin.

Customs officials in Belgium have not seized as many drugs in recent years. This is because the drugs from the South American dealers are first being shipped to West Africa. From there couriers bring the drugs in smaller quantities through European airports, including Brussels Zaventem.

In Zaventem, 116 drug couriers were arrested last year. Drugs are still also transported in ship freight through the Port of Antwerp. An estimated 60 tons of cocaine goes through Antwerp every year.

Over the past years Belgium has been a significant supplier of Ecstasy to the U.S. and other parts of the world, according to the U.S. State Department report. In recent years however, due to concentrated police efforts and a decrease in consumption, production and trafficking of Ecstasy have been reduced greatly.

As a result of Belgium's geographic location, efficient transportation networks and access to two major ports (Antwerp, Belgium and Rotterdam, the Netherlands) it plays a significant role in the transhipment of cocaine from South America to Europe.

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