By Buba Gagigo
Five suspects were arrested at Brussels Airport in connection with the smuggling of cocaine from Banjul International Airport, according to The Brussels Times.
The Brussels Times reported that five suspects were arrested in connection with an investigation into drug smuggling at Brussels Airport in Zaventem. The suspects include two baggage handlers who worked for a drug gang and were caught transporting several suitcases filled with cocaine from an aeroplane. The police had been watching the two airport employees for some time.
“An investigation was opened which showed that the two men were part of a criminal organisation involved in the smuggling of drugs from Africa,” Carol Vercarre of the Halle-Vilvoorde Public Prosecutor’s Office told VRT.
“The gang always worked in the same way: on flights from the capital of the Gambia (Banjul) several suitcases with drugs were hidden among the luggage. The two airport employees were responsible for removing these suitcases from the plane. One of them took the bags before handing them over to other members of the gang outside the airport building.” The Brussels Times reported.
The news outlet said the street value of the said cocaine is €6 million.
The Brussels Times also reported that on Tuesday, another flight from Banjul landed at Brussels Airport. This flight was closely monitored by investigators from the Federal Judicial Police. Although the suspected employees were not due to work at that time, both were present at the airport when the flight landed at Zaventem.
“They took several suitcases from the plane, after which one of them left the airport with the bags. A few kilometers away, he was met by three cars and the suitcases were loaded into these cars,” Vercarre said. “At that moment the police successfully intervened. Three suitcases were found with a total of approximately 120 kilograms of cocaine, which corresponds to a street value of €6 million.” The Brussels Times said.