According to a police statement, the birds were being transported in poor conditions, with cramped cages and inadequate ventilation. This prompted officers to intervene and confiscate the animals
Founded in 1565, when renowned artist Pieter Paul Rubens was just 12 years old, the tavern holds the title of Belgium’s oldest bar. Over 450 years later, Quinten Matsijs remains remarkably unchanged, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the past
The arrest took place during a series of house searches carried out by the Brussels Federal Judicial Police, as part of an ongoing investigation into the illegal importation of drugs from South America to Europe
While customs authorities intercepted 13 large shipments in 2023, only two were intercepted in 2024. Vanderwaeren attributed this shift to criminals adjusting their tactics by shipping smaller quantities, thus spreading their risk
The operation, which resulted in the confiscation of significant amounts of drugs and the disruption of an international trafficking network, underscores the growing challenges faced by law enforcement in combating organized crime
