Laura Van Lerberghe 08:19, October 05, 2022
In Belgium, one of the largest ports in the world sees twelve million containers pass through each year.
As it expanded, it became a sieve and a gateway for all kinds of illegal products.
Exceptionally, Europe 1 was able to go there accompanied by a former drug trafficker.
REPORTAGE
Has Belgium become the Colombia of Europe?
Drug trafficking worthy of Pablo Escobar, incredible violence that has been increasing for years and has increased in the last ten days.
So much so that the Minister of Justice had to be placed under high protection, hidden so as not to be at the mercy of drug traffickers.
To realize the extent of the traffic, between 2013 and 2021, the quantity of cocaine seized in the port has been multiplied by fourteen.
To understand how such a situation is possible, Europe 1 went there with a former trafficker, member of a gang whose business was valued at 700 million euros.
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No cameras and only a few dozen employees
The meeting is given around 9 am in the port of Antwerp.
Paul Meyer knows it like the back of his hand.
He spent thirty years of his life as a drug dealer.
In prison for twelve years, he was released just three years ago.
The cigarette in the mouth, the slightly bluish glasses lenses… From the first seconds, he is talkative.
"I started very young and it got bigger and bigger. The police caught me with 80 tons, but every five weeks we were doing 20," he says.
On board his car, heading for the unloading dock, he hasn't forgotten anything and is showing the way.
The port covers more than 129 square kilometers.
An area larger than the city of Paris.
At each terminal, "no trespassing" signs.
No camera.
Only a few dozen employees… who don't notice our presence.
"How is it possible that we can drive here? It's forbidden and yet I can access the boat!" Taunts the former trafficker.
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Corruption of agents assumed
In the port area extend containers as far as the eye can see and goods of all types stored in hangars.
"If I want to do something, I know what company it is and I can see where I can buy these products, put something in these products and let the boat bring it to me," he describes.
After fifteen minutes, still no comment from the agents present.
Paul Meyer chats with one of them.
“Is the port waterproof?” he jokes.
And for the traffickers, attracting their services has almost become currency.
"Are they corrupt? I always say they're human. The profits are huge in cocaine," remarks the former trafficker.
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Only 2% of containers checked per year
In Antwerp, cocaine trafficking is estimated at 50 billion euros per year.
It is a very large port, very extensive and difficult to monitor.
It is in great demand in Europe.
The cocaine which is sold in Europe is sold more expensive than in other countries”, explains Florence Angelici, spokesperson for the Federal Public Service of Finance and Customs.
But only 2% of containers are checked per year.
To strengthen controls, the government is planning an investment of 70 million euros.