Belgian police on Wednesday announced the break-up of a suspected international drug gang dealing cocaine and marijuana after months of investigations.
A statement from the Belgian public prosecutor's office said the international criminal organization was well established in Antwerp in Belgium and stretched as far as Marseille in France.
Investigations from the authorities have linked the gang to several shootings, kidnappings, attempted murders and assaults that have taken place in Brussels in 2024.
A total of 25 house searches were carried out on Tuesday and 19 suspects were arrested, 17 of them in Belgium and two in Marseille. Money, weapons, vehicles and narcotics were reportedly also seized during the searches.
Four suspects were charged with, among other things, membership or leadership of a criminal organization, attempted murder, the sale of narcotics, possession of weapons and money laundering.
According to the public prosecutor's office, an arrest warrant has been issued for them.
The investigating magistrates will reportedly decide whether other suspects will be remanded in custody. The investigation is ongoing.