Brussels is grappling with a troubling increase in violence, largely attributed to the influx of inexpensive hard drugs, as articulated by Mayor Philippe Close. In an interview with Le Soir, Close remarked,
“I have to point out that it’s cheaper to snort a line of coke than to drink a rum and Coke, that synthetic drug labs are everywhere, and that the money involved is just mind-boggling. A single dealing spot can bring in €20,000 a day.”
Understanding the drug crisis
Close emphasized that merely increasing police presence will not suffice to combat the deep-rooted issues of drug use within the city. He underscored the necessity of engaging in discussions about the societal factors contributing to the city’s drug crisis. The mayor noted,
“There is an endemic problem which is that — according to wastewater analyses — Brussels and Antwerp are in the top European five for drug consumption. And if we tackle trafficking without asking questions about this consumption of cocaine or synthetic drugs, we will not win this fight.”
Impact of narcotics on crime rates
The prevalence of low-cost narcotics, particularly cocaine, which is transported in large quantities through the port of Antwerp, has established Belgium as a central hub for drug distribution across Europe. This year alone has seen at least 60 shootings in Brussels, a stark indication of how the illegal drug trade is driving a surge in violent crime. In 2024, official reports recorded 92 shootings, resulting in nine fatalities.
In response to this alarming trend, the Belgian government has initiated significant reforms, approving a merger of the six police zones in Brussels into a single operational unit, set to be implemented by early 2027. This strategic move aims to eliminate the jurisdictional limitations that currently allow criminal gangs to evade law enforcement by shifting between zones.