The Criminal Court in the East Flemish city of Ghent has sentenced the leader of a drug gang to 13 years’ imprisonment for his involvement in the torture of a 17-year-old boy. The boy was a gang member that was incorrectly suspected of having tipped off another gang about the location of a consigned of drugs that were being stored in a barn at a farm in Maldegem (East Flanders). A total of 20 members of the gang were convicted at the trial.
13 years for the leader of a drug gang found guilty of torturing a 17-year-old boy
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In April 2022 a teenager (17) was tortured at barn in Maldegem that was being used to store drugs. His left earlobe was cut off, the tendons in one of his hands were severed and a piece of one of his toes was cut off.
The 17-year-old victim never made any statement to the police, nor was he a civil party in the case. Tattoos featuring three owls and the word “omerta” adorn the teenagers back. The tattoos refer to the culture of silence within drug gangs.
Attack by rival gang
Police were able to capture the gang thanks to CCTV footage, house searches and checks carried out on mobile phones. The gang imported cocaine that it stored at several locations. These were guarded day and night.
The 17-year-old victim had been tasked with guarding the shed at Maldegem, where a load of 340 kg of cocaine and firearms were being stored. These were stolen during a violent robbery carried out by a rival gang.
The leaders of the gang whose drugs and guns had been stolen incorrectly believed that the 17-year-old had passed on information to a rival gang and they tortured him.
Extradition from the Philippines
4 people were arrested in November 2022 after CCTV footage from the area around the hospital where the victim was dumped was examined by police. Kristof D. emerged as the person that had probably ordered the torture and an international wanted notice was issued. Initially believed to be in Dubai, he was arrested in the Philippines on 17 October 2023. The court sentenced him to 13 years in prison, the stiffest sentence handed down. Another man considered to by one of the leaders of the gang, Jonas W. was given a five-year prison sentence.
A total of 20 suspects were sentenced. They received sentences ranging from suspended prison sentences to 13 years in jail. The 5- and 13-year prison sentences given to the leaders of the gang are considerably lower than the 22-year custodial sentences requested by the prosecution.