Three people were placed under arrest on Thursday following thirty searches conducted across the country in connection with narcotic drugs. The searches were part of an investigation into the practices of a possible criminal organisation that is suspected of acting as a "facilitator" for the production of narcotic drugs, said the Federal Prosecutor's Office on Friday.
Two of them were charged with the running of a criminal organisation, drug offences and money laundering.
The third was charged with involvement in the activities of a criminal organisation and drug offences.
Twenty people were arrested on Thursday. In addition to the three suspects held under arrest, two men were released under strict conditions. The others were released without charge.
Three new people were also taken to the hearing after four additional searches on Friday morning, three in Charleroi and one in Hal-Vilvoorde.
The case concerns a private limited liability company operating several gardening and horticultural sales outlets in Ixelles, Jette, Marcinelle, Jambes and Genval. According to several media outlets, the company in question is Terra Terra. All the stores operated were sealed.
Four vehicles registered in the name of the company were seized, as were 21,390 euros in cash. Bank accounts were blocked and computer equipment seized, as well as CCTV camera footage. Three weapons were also seized, including a rocket launcher.
The Brussels Times
