Thirteen individuals have been apprehended following a months-long investigation into drug trafficking in the Famenne region, the Famenne-Ardenne police department announced at the end of the week.
In the past months, officers conducted about fifteen searches, with efforts concentrated on 8 and 9 November. Local police were supported in these operations by forces from Lesse & Somme, Condroz-Famenne, and Seraing-Neupré. The searches also involved federal police dog units and customs officials.
The drug trade was found to extend to areas surrounding Marche-en-Famenne, Hotton, Durbuy, and Rochefort (about 50 kilometres south of Namur). As a result of the investigation, nine individuals have been formally charged by the investigating judge, with three placed under arrest.
"Criminal cases such as these... again emphasise the significance of the diligent groundwork by our officers on an almost daily basis. This applies particularly to our investigative and research services, as well as our frontline services in battling drug trafficking," noted Daniel Sommelette, chief commissioner of the Famenne-Ardenne police zone.
