Six men were arrested for links to an Albanian crime organisation involved in large-scale cannabis cultivation, the Leuven Public Prosecutor's office announced on Monday.
In November 2023, the Federal Judicial Police (PJF) in Leuven launched an investigation into the network, which is believed to have set up professional cannabis plantations in Belgium and France. The group is also suspected of organising international drug shipments.
The gang operated mainly from the Diest, Geel and Liège regions, but had criminal contacts in various European countries and made use of an extensive logistics network.
The investigation led to 11 searches in Diest, Geel, Herstal, Lummen, Liège, Oupeye and Tremelo on 20 May. Eight suspects were arrested. Six of the suspects, who are between 32 and 46 years old, were placed under arrest warrants. Two others were released but remain suspects. On the same day, Albanian and French investigators also searched several addresses in those countries.
The Federal Judicial Police (PJF) received support from various police services and international partners during this operation, according to the public prosecutor's office.
A total of 90 police officers were deployed. In addition to the PJF of Liège, Limburg and Antwerp, other units such as customs, anti-drug services and special units were deployed during the operation.
The investigators also received support from the local police forces of Basse-Meuse, BRT, Demerdal, Geel, Herstal and Liège.
"During the searches, in addition to 36.5 kilos of cannabis, ketamine, cocaine, ecstasy, laughing gas and speed, cash, firearms and other useful evidence were also found, which will be subject to further investigation," reported the Leuven Public Prosecutor's Office.
