Brussels' chief prosecutor, Julien Moinil, has called for a more robust crackdown on drug trafficking networks following a wave of shootings that has unsettled the Belgian capital. The city, which hosts the main institutions of the European Union, has witnessed a series of brazen attacks in recent days, including an incident in which a police station was targeted.
Speaking to journalists on Friday, Moinil said that 69 shooting incidents have been recorded in Brussels so far this year, with 170 since the start of 2025. He warned that the violence has reached a point where "anyone could get shot," reflecting the indiscriminate nature of the attacks.
Turf war driving the violence
Moinil attributed most of the shootings to a conflict between two rival drug gangs. "Clearly, they appear to be in conflict and so we are seeing a cycle of retaliation," he explained. The prosecutor noted that gang leaders, many of whom operate from abroad, need to be apprehended, and that authorities should do more to prevent those already in prison from orchestrating further violence from their cells.
The call for action comes as Brussels authorities announced the deployment of 40 additional police officers and more mobile cameras in response to the recent shootings. The measures aim to reassure residents and deter further incidents in neighborhoods like Clemenceau and around the metro station, where several attacks have occurred.
Belgium remains one of the primary entry points for drugs smuggled into Europe, with the port of Antwerp serving as a major gateway for criminal organizations. The country has seen a rise in armed violence linked to gang disputes in recent years, prompting authorities to intensify efforts to seize the proceeds of drug trafficking.
Moinil highlighted that since 2025, around 350 bars and restaurants in Brussels have been shut down due to their connections to the drug trade, and 3,500 luxury vehicles have been confiscated. These measures are part of a broader strategy to disrupt the financial infrastructure of the gangs.
The prosecutor also pointed to the increasing recruitment of youths from France and undocumented migrants as foot soldiers, a trend that complicates law enforcement efforts. He called for more resources for police investigation units to tackle the sophisticated networks behind the violence.
The situation in Brussels echoes concerns across Europe about the growing influence of drug cartels. In other parts of the continent, similar challenges are emerging, from Italy's efforts to manage wildlife conflicts to broader security questions raised by international visits, such as the recent CIA chief's trip to Moscow. While these issues differ, they underscore the need for coordinated European responses to transnational threats.
Moinil's appeal for a tougher stance is likely to resonate with other European cities facing similar pressures. The European Union has been exploring ways to enhance cross-border cooperation in fighting organized crime, but progress has been uneven. The Brussels prosecutor's call for more resources and better coordination may serve as a catalyst for renewed action at the EU level.
As the city grapples with the immediate security challenge, the broader question of how to address the root causes of drug-related violence remains. For now, the focus is on restoring a sense of safety in Brussels, a city that symbolizes European unity but is now confronting the harsh realities of the continent's drug trade.
