Police encountered dozens of packages of cocaine during their raid on a hangar in Wilrijk (Antwerp Province). They estimate their booty weighs between 5 and 6 tonnes. Detectives were also able to hold 12 suspects.
Home News
Police arrest 12 suspects as 6 tonnes of cocaine turn up in a hangar in Wilrijk
Colin Clapson
Published:
Officers of Antwerp's federal judicial police raided the premises that were being used as a warehouse together with specialised police units yesterday afternoon.
"The exact weight of the drugs still has to be established. The drugs are believed to have been brought into the country from Sierra Leone via the port of Antwerp," said Kristof Aerts of the Antwerp public prosecutor's office. The drugs will now be destroyed.
Several weapons were also found.
At the scene, investigators were able to arrest 11 suspects, later a 12th man was also detained. The suspects are aged between 24 and 60, and hold Belgian, Dutch or Guinean nationality. They will now have to appear before an examining judge, who will decide whether to arrest them.