A major police operation took place in the Brussels municipality of Vorst on Thursday evening. The operation was the latest in series of operation carried out in the Brussels South local police area that are aimed at tackling the trade in illegal narcotics and the violence that it brings to our streets.
Brussels police carry out checks on bars and shops in large-scale operation against the trade in illegal drugs
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On Thursday evening checks were carried out on around 30 bars and shops on the Sint-Antoniusplein in Vorst. The Sint-Antoniusplein is a well-known hotspot for drug dealing.
The police spokeswoman Stephanie Steenput told VRT News that “The aim of the checks is to combat nuisance and to tackle the black economy. Among the things checked were undeclared work. We also deployed a sniffer dog to check for drugs”.
Ms Steenput added that the checks are part of a three-phase approach to tackling the issue of drugs in the Brussels South policing area. “First we occupy the area and have a visible presence, we then check businesses in the area and prosecute where necessary."
Police have been putting more effort into this type of operation since the recent spate of drug-related shootings. An additional 30 officers were deployed during Thursday evening’s operation. The police plan more operations of this nature during the coming weeks and months.