Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin attended daily inspections of the Antwerp maritime police force responsible for the safety and security of the port of Antwerp, Euronews reports.
Belgium is reinforcing the maritime police force in the port of Antwerp to combat the increase in drug abuse.
Attending daily inspections of Antwerp’s maritime police, Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin confirmed that he is hiring an additional 100 people. The interior minister said:
“They currently have 212 people and will increase to 333. So, more than a hundred people extra.”
The fight against drug addiction begins at the port of Antwerp. Last year more than 7,000 people were checked at the port. This year, 51 suspects have already been arrested, mostly so-called “drug collectors.”
The fight against drugs is one of the key objectives of the new Belgian government under Prime Minister Bart De Wever. The effort is being stepped up after a wave of drug-related violence in the capital Brussels in recent weeks.
There have been six shootings in a fortnight near the Clemenceau metro station in the Anderlecht district, leaving two people dead.
Quintin and Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden held emergency talks on Monday to discuss drug-related violence. Measures include strengthening police forces in Brussels and Antwerp.
