"Drugs Don't Arrive in Brussels by Parachute": Mayor Questions Antwerp's Role

Brussels Mayor Philippe Close has publicly questioned the origins of the drug trade impacting the capital, suggesting that the port city of Antwerp plays a crucial role. "Drugs don't arrive in Brussels by parachute," Close stated on the platform BX1 on Friday evening, implying a direct link between Antwerp and the influx of narcotics into Brussels.

His remarks highlight a growing tension between Belgian cities regarding the management of drug trafficking. Close's pointed question, "Why don't we intervene more in Antwerp?" directly challenges the authorities in Antwerp to take greater responsibility for preventing drugs from being trafficked to other parts of the country, including the capital.

This statement underscores a perceived failure in inter-city cooperation or enforcement efforts to combat drug smuggling. The mayor's comments suggest that Brussels feels burdened by a problem that may be originating or facilitated elsewhere, placing pressure on Antwerp to implement more robust measures to intercept illicit substances before they reach their final destinations.