Belgian police warn landlords of warehouses in West Flanders: 'Don't fall for offers from criminal organizations'

In West Flanders, Belgium, authorities are issuing a stark warning to farmers and property owners: be vigilant about who you rent your warehouses and sheds to. The Federal Judicial Police have uncovered a disturbing trend where criminal organizations are increasingly using these often remote agricultural buildings as fronts for drug laboratories.

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If there are even the slightest indications, you should contact the police. Do not start investigating yourself. That can be dangerous.

The police's investigation, which included interviews with warehouse owners, revealed that a significant 76% had been approached by suspicious Dutch phone numbers offering higher rent or cash payments. These intermediaries often obscure the true identity of the renters, leaving property owners unaware that their spaces are being used for illicit activities. "If there are even the slightest indications, you should contact the police. Above all, do not start investigating yourself. That can be dangerous," advised An Berger of the Federal Judicial Police.

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It may seem good, because you get a bit of higher rent at first, but it can become dangerous.

These criminal operations pose serious risks beyond the immediate illegality. Owners can inadvertently become entangled in legal investigations, and they may be left to bear the substantial costs of cleaning up hazardous chemical waste left behind after drug production. Last year alone, the Federal Judicial Police in West Flanders discovered 41 industrial drug labs, 12 storage sites for related substances, and 14 instances of illegal toxic waste dumping, with similar figures reported this year. The police emphasize that while the criminals profit, the property owners are left to deal with the dangerous consequences.

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With the production of synthetic drugs, considerable amounts of chemical waste are released. Very often that waste remains or is dumped. If a cleanup is needed, the owner often has to bear the costs.