Two individuals were sentenced to 36 months in prison by the Brussels Correctional Court on Wednesday for their involvement in drug trafficking.
A Dutch national in his forties received a 36-month prison sentence after customs officers discovered a shipment of cocaine in his luggage. He had arrived at Zaventem airport on 8 September from the Dominican Republic. Each of his suitcases had a false bottom, revealing a total of 5.6kg of cocaine.
The man claimed he was tricked by a woman he had met online in the Dominican Republic. He stated that he had travelled to visit his girlfriend, who had purchased the suitcases. However, the court found this explanation unconvincing, noting it was unlikely a criminal organisation would entrust such a large quantity of drugs to someone unaware of their illegal cargo. The man was consequently sentenced to 36 months in prison.
A 36-year-old Argentine woman received the same 36-month prison sentence. She also claimed to be unaware of the cocaine found in her luggage at Brussels airport. She was arrested on 26 August upon arrival from Cancun, Mexico. Customs officers discovered 7kg of cocaine in her suitcases.
The woman claimed that an acquaintance in Mexico had suggested she travel to Europe, asking her to bring documents to Belgium. She insisted she did not know she was carrying drugs, but the court was not convinced.
