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Brussels Faces Surge in Drug-Related Gang Violence After Fatal Shooting

A week of escalating violence linked to cocaine trafficking has prompted calls for increased police presence and coordinated action in the Belgian capital.

Police work in an area around an apartment complex after a shooting incident in Brussels, Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Sylvain Plazy)
Police work in an area around an apartment complex after a shooting incident in Brussels, Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
Police work in an area around the Clemenceau metro station after a shooting incident in Brussels, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Sylvain Plazy)
A police screen encloses an area around an apartment complex after a shooting incident in Brussels, Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

Overview

  • Four shootings occurred in Brussels over the past week, with one fatality in Anderlecht and three injuries in other incidents.
  • Belgian officials have attributed the violence to gang-related turf wars fueled by lucrative cocaine trafficking, with daily revenues at some hotspots estimated at €50,000.
  • Brussels' fragmented policing system, divided among 19 municipalities, has been criticized for hindering coordinated responses to crime.
  • Authorities have temporarily consolidated the city's police zones and are exploring reinvesting seized criminal assets into law enforcement and community rebuilding efforts.
  • The violence has raised concerns about public safety and Brussels' international reputation, with residents and officials urging immediate action to address systemic issues.