Authorities in Antwerp have intercepted a massive shipment of 1.2 tonnes of cocaine and carried out ten arrests, including a 14-year-old.
The drugs were discovered during the night of Saturday to Sunday at quay 1333 in the port of Antwerp. Customs officials found the cocaine aboard the ship Grande Africa, which had travelled from Africa to Antwerp.
"The drugs were seized as part of an ongoing investigation by the Antwerp Federal Judicial Police into a criminal organisation suspected of bringing drugs into the Port of Antwerp," said Kato Belmans, spokesperson for the Antwerp Public Prosecutor’s Office.
She added that a total of ten suspects, seven Dutch nationals and three Belgians, were arrested. The operation involved the Federal Judicial Police of Antwerp, the Maritime Police, and the Special Units Directorate (DSU).
The arrests occurred in the region of Zelzate, with some carried out in a warehouse.
The suspects will appear before an investigating judge who will determine whether they remain in custody. The 14-year-old will be referred to a juvenile judge.
The investigation remains ongoing under the direction of the investigating judge in Antwerp.
