New police statistics reveal that almost one in two known drug suspects in Antwerp is a non-Belgian national, accounting for 49.2% of cases.
In several Brussels municipalities, this share rises significantly, with Schaerbeek reaching 61.4%, followed by Sint-Joost-ten-Node at 57.7% and Sint-Gillis at 57.1%. These figures were released by Interior Minister Bernard Quintin following a request from MP Ortwin Depoortere (Vlaams Belang).
In 2024, a total of 15,521 suspects were registered for drug-related acts across Brussels and five Flemish central cities. Among them, 5,879 individuals—approximately 40%—were found to be non-Belgian. The data also highlights a disturbing trend of repeat offenses; in Brussels, over 1,000 suspects committed two or more drug-related acts within a single year, while Antwerp recorded 437 such cases. This “hard core” of repeat offenders contributes to what officials describe as a drug economy poisoning local neighborhoods.
This statistical update coincides with a worrying surge in the overall volume of drug crime. The French-speaking Court of First Instance of Brussels recently addressed the growing pressure on the justice system, noting that drug-related cases have nearly doubled. Based on current investigations, officials expect the number of files to potentially double again between 2025 and 2026.
