House searches and arrests in East Flanders, Antwerp, and the Netherlands in investigation into cocaine smuggling

Recent police raids in Belgium and the Netherlands led to multiple arrests in a large-scale cocaine smuggling investigation linked to the port of Antwerp. The Federal Judicial Police of Antwerp conducted the operation under the direction of an investigating judge in Dendermonde. The investigation focuses on cocaine trafficking from South America to Antwerp, with over 1.6 tons of cocaine seized so far. Raids occurred in various locations including Antwerp and Amsterdam, resulting in the confiscation of cash, luxury watches, and vehicles. Arrested suspects in the Netherlands are subject to extradition requests from Belgium, where local suspects are held pending further judicial proceedings.