The growing number of violent acts, committed mainly in Antwerp, is probably the result of a certain panic in the mafia world of drug trafficking, said Sunday the Minister of the Interior, Annelies Verlinden (CD&V), on the set of VTM. She insisted that the problem might only be solved through cooperation.
According to the minister, drug gangs are panicking following the hacking of Sky ECC encrypted messaging, which is widely used by criminals. “We have really managed to reach the top of these criminal organizations. In recent months, more than a thousand people have been arrested“, a souligné Annelies Verlinden.”We suspect shipments are going missing, reporting lines in these organizations are changing, and members are panicking, leading to an increase in incidents.“
The Minister of the Interior pleaded for a “chain approach“in order to tackle the problem, which would not be confined to Antwerp.”It’s by definition something we have to do together“, she said, in particular thanks to the cooperation between the federal and local police, but also to international cooperation. Pointing the finger – such as the mayor of Antwerp, Bart De Wever, who judges that the federal level actually too little – is unnecessary, continued Annelies Verlinden.”The last thing we should do is shoot ourselves in the leg. It only benefits organized crime.“
Annelies Verlinden also highlighted the efforts made by the federal government. By the end of the legislature, the federal police must in particular have recruited 1,000 additional people, including 400 in the federal judicial police. “There will also be more resources: 310 million euros more under this legislature for the entire police organization.“The focus is finally on customs so that more containers can be checked.
“The message is that we are not leaving our streets and squares to organized crime“, launched the minister.
