Belgium faces surge in cocaine trafficking, sparking narco‑state debate

Antwerp, Europe’s second‑largest port, has become a principal entry point for cocaine from Latin America. Belgian authorities seized 55 tonnes of the drug last year, while officials admit that substantially larger volumes likely pass undetected, hidden in shipments of bananas, frozen goods and timber. The influx has fueled a rise in drug‑related gun violence in Antwerp and Brussels, with gangs also infiltrating parts of the public administration through corruption and intimidation.

The situation prompted a televised debate on Euronews’ program “The Ring,” featuring Brussels mayor Philippe Close and N‑VA regional parliamentarian Mathias Vanden Borre. Both highlighted the transformation of the drug problem into a national‑security issue and warned that Belgium could be sliding toward becoming a “narco‑state.” Studies of wastewater and EU monitoring show Belgian cities rank among the highest cocaine consumers in the EU. With Antwerp and nearby Rotterdam serving as the main gateways for the illicit market, experts say the challenge is structural rather than a temporary crime wave.

A senior official described the country as “drifting toward a narco‑state,” underscoring the depth of the crisis and the need for policy responses to address both the supply chain and the associated violence.