Benelux, police cooperation, Safety
Drug criminals increasingly use trains: Hazeldonk cooperation (Benelux–France) achieves major results
04 Feb. 2026
The international Hazeldonk cooperation framework – in which police and investigative services from the Benelux countries and France work together – has once again delivered strong results in the fight against cross-border drug crime. This is evident from the 2025 annual figures and from the new strategy for the 2025–2028 period.
Four countries, one approach
The cooperation focuses on drug networks that operate across multiple countries. These networks are becoming increasingly professional: they use courier services, low‑cost transport operators and car rental companies, and rely more and more on digital tools to organise their trafficking. The fight between rival groups is also accompanied by rising levels of violence and corruption. Because these problems do not stop at national borders, the four countries are joining forces.
Large‑scale controls: 8,400 officers and inspectors deployed
In 2025, five major action weeks took place under the name “ETOILE”. In total, 8,400 operational staff participated in checks along roads, in trains and on buses.
The following items were seized, among others:
• nearly one tonne of cocaine
• over 33 kilograms of marijuana
• more than 140,000 grams of ketamine
• nearly 30,000 grams of synthetic drugs
• more than 17,000 ecstasy pills
• more than 10,000 grams of heroin
• more than 6,000 grams of amphetamines
• over 9,000 grams of hashish
• over 1,000 grams of MDMA
• 142,000 nitrous oxide cartridges
Additionally, 273 individuals were arrested, 129 vehicles seized, and more than €1.1 million in cash intercepted. A total of 388 drivers were also caught driving under the influence of drugs.
Trains increasingly popular among criminals
Authorities observe several notable trends. Drug networks are increasingly using international train connections to transport drugs and money. The profiles of couriers are also striking: young families, elderly people and taxi drivers are being used to avoid drawing attention. Furthermore, professionally constructed hidden compartments in vehicles are being discovered more frequently.
Benelux information hub crucial to successful operation
As the linchpin of cross‑border cooperation, the Benelux General Secretariat played a central role. In 2025, a one‑off Operational Centre was set up at the Benelux House in Brussels to coordinate and support the Etoile action. From this centre, participating services were able to share information in real time, enabling rapid follow‑up and allowing investigative teams to continue their work immediately. This approach led to significant results: in addition to achieving the main objectives of the operation, several fraudsters were also arrested as a by‑catch thanks to efficient information exchange.
New strategy 2025–2028
As criminal organisations continue to become more sophisticated, the four countries are choosing even closer cooperation in the coming years. The focus will be on:
• sharing information more frequently and more quickly,
• better use of data and analytics,
• joint risk profiles,
• increased attention to facilitators such as transport operators or rental companies,
• controls at logistical hubs.
According to the participating services, only an international and multidisciplinary approach – involving police, tax authorities, local administrations and the judiciary – can effectively counter increasingly professional drug trafficking networks.
