Belgian and French police launch major operation against cross-border crime

A large-scale joint operation involving over 100 Belgian and French police officers has been conducted along the Belgian-French border, targeting various forms of cross-border crime. The operation, dubbed FUTURE, established multiple checkpoints from De Panne to Tournai, with mobile units ready to intercept suspicious individuals and vehicles.

The primary focus of this coordinated effort is to combat serious offenses including human smuggling via small boats, drug and arms trafficking, and the activities of traveling thief gangs. The initiative underscores the commitment of both nations to tackling criminal networks that operate across their shared border.

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We want to be sure that the cooperation between the Belgian and French police works well. It is not just a matter of exchanging information, but also on the ground that there must be good cooperation.

Minister of Security Bernard Quintin emphasized the importance of seamless cooperation between the Belgian and French police forces. "We want to be sure that the cooperation between the Belgian and French police works well. It is not just a matter of exchanging information, but also on the ground that there must be good cooperation," he stated. The minister added that the goal is to ensure the operational "machinery is well-oiled" and to conduct similar control operations every three to four months.

The specific outcomes of the operation are expected to be announced by the police later in the day. This FUTURE action represents the seventh such large-scale control operation along the border.

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The machine must be well-oiled, we want to do such a control action every 3 to 4 months.