Brussels Chief Prosecutor Julien Moinil has called for an intensified crackdown on drug trafficking networks following a recent surge in gun violence across the Belgian capital. The city, which hosts the European Union's headquarters, has been hit by a wave of shootings that has raised widespread safety concerns.
In several recent incidents, masked attackers armed with automatic weapons have opened fire in public, leaving multiple people injured and even targeting a local police station. Highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the threat, Moinil warned journalists on Friday, "Anyone could get shot." According to the prosecutor, Brussels has recorded 69 shootings so far this year, contributing to a total of 170 incidents since the beginning of 2025.
Investigators believe the bulk of the violence stems from an ongoing turf war between two rival drug syndicates. "Clearly, they appear to be in conflict and so we are seeing a cycle of retaliation," Moinil explained. He emphasized that curbing the violence requires arresting gang leaders, many of whom operate from abroad, and preventing incarcerated bosses from continuing to direct criminal operations from inside prison walls.
To combat these syndicates, which increasingly recruit undocumented migrants and French youths as street-level foot soldiers, Moinil urged authorities to allocate more resources to police investigative units. In response to the recent violence, Brussels officials announced this week that they are deploying 40 additional police officers and setting up more mobile surveillance cameras.
Belgium remains a primary entry point for illegal narcotics entering Europe, with the massive port of Antwerp serving as a major hub for international smuggling gangs. In addition to policing the streets, Belgian authorities have targeted the financial assets of these criminal groups. Since 2025, about 350 bars and restaurants in Brussels have been shut down due to connections with the drug trade, and law enforcement has seized 3,500 luxury vehicles.
