Five Suspects Arrested following  Investigations Into Drug Smuggling Via Brussels Airport

Five suspects have been arrested by the federal judicial police of Halle-Vilvoorde in connection with drug smuggling through Brussels Airport, according to The Brussels Times.

The Brussel Times reported that the arrests were made after two baggage handlers, who were part of a drug gang, were caught red-handed taking suitcases filled with cocaine from an arriving aeroplane.

 “The gang always worked in the same way: on flights from the capital of the Gambia (Banjul) several suitcases with drugs were hidden among the luggage. The two airport employees were responsible for removing these suitcases from the plane. One of them took the bags before handing them over to other members of the gang outside the airport building.” The Brussels Times reported.

The news outlet said the street value of the said cocaine is €6 million.

The Brussels Times also reported that on Tuesday, another flight from Banjul landed at Brussels Airport. This flight was closely monitored by investigators from the Federal Judicial Police. Although the suspected employees were not due to work at that time, both were present at the airport when the flight landed at Zaventem.

“They took several suitcases from the plane, after which one of them left the airport with the bags. A few kilometers away, he was met by three cars and the suitcases were loaded into these cars,” Vercarre said. “At that moment the police successfully intervened. Three suitcases were found with a total of approximately 120 kilograms of cocaine, which corresponds to a street value of €6 million.” The Brussels Times said.