An international network of traffickers dealing in racing pigeons has been dismantled, the Limburg Prosecutor’s Office revealed on Tuesday. Three people have been arrested, including one in Romania.
The investigation, carried out by the Federal Judicial Police of Limburg, also led to the recovery of 170 stolen birds.
The criminal group had stolen several pigeons in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. It specifically targeted pigeon trainers who had won international competitions, often identified through social media.
The network employed different vehicles to evade tracking, but the Limburg police managed to identify suspects and locations in Vilvoorde, Flemish Brabant, where two men, aged 24 and 45, were apprehended on 31 March. About 100 pigeons were discovered in their residence.
Collaboration with Romanian police resulted in the recovery of 71 more pigeons at the home of a suspect’s parents in Romania. A third suspect was arrested there, and Belgium has requested his extradition.
Two additional individuals linked to the case remain at large.
The value of the stolen birds could reach several million euros, as the criminals targeted high-value racing pigeons. At least 15 incidents have been connected to the group.
The Belgian Pigeon Federation (RFCB) has been assisting the federal police in returning the recovered pigeons to their rightful owners, many of whom have already been reunited with their birds.
