"Used as disposable products, cheap and hardly punishable": drug gangs in Brussels increasingly employ minors

The involvement of minors in violent incidents related to drug trafficking in Brussels is increasing, with shooters as young as 14 or 15 years old. The federal judicial police reported that 147 minors were involved in violent acts this year and last. These young individuals are often recruited through social media platforms like Snapchat and Signal, drawn by the prospect of quick financial gain, with payments ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 euros depending on the task. Eric Jacobs, director of the Brussels judicial police, emphasized that minors are treated as disposable assets in drug gangs, facing minimal legal consequences. He called for a reevaluation of the legal framework regarding juvenile offenders and highlighted challenges in obtaining data from encrypted communication platforms.