Belgian customs seized 55 tons of cocaine at the port of Antwerp
Belgian customs seized about 55 tons of cocaine at the port of Antwerp in 2025, authorities announced, in a major operation targeting shipments from South America.
The total seizures for 2025 are higher than the 44 tons seized in 2024, but still much lower than the record of 120 tons seized in 2023. Customs officials also noted a sharp increase in cannabis seizures, rising from about 5 tons in 2024 to over 20 tons last year, most of which came from Canada.
One of the largest seizures occurred just before Christmas, as officers discovered more than 5.7 tons of cocaine hidden under a shipment of bananas from Ecuador on the night of December 23-24, making it the largest cocaine seizure of the year. The federal judicial police are still investigating the case.
Authorities warned that a slight decrease in cocaine numbers does not mean a slowdown in drug trafficking, as criminal networks are believed to be using new methods, including small ports, to avoid detection.
However, customs officials reported that stricter security checks at the Port of Antwerp are beginning to show results. In related measures, more than 300 employees at the port have been suspended after failing new drug-related security tests.