Benelux, police cooperation, Safety
Third Etoile operation: over 1,800 people checked, dozens of arrests
21 Jun. 2026
From 15 to 21 June 2026, police and customs services from Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and France carried out a joint Etoile operation targeting drug distribution networks. The operation partly relies on the Benelux Police Treaty.
During checks on roads, international transport routes, buses and railway connections, 1,869 vehicles, 1,810 individuals, 5 buses and 28 trains were inspected.
This resulted in 23 arrests and the seizure of 29 vehicles. In total, 83 individuals were found in possession of illegal substances, and 24 drivers were under the influence of drugs.
The services seized, among other things, 7 weapons, €41,550 in cash, 24.8 kilograms of marijuana, 138 grams of hashish, 241 grams of cocaine, 156 grams of amphetamine, 2 kilograms of MDMA, 29 ecstasy pills, 56 grams of space cake, 7 grams of heroin, 26 nitrous oxide bottles and 98 tramadol tablets.
In Brussels, the railway police intercepted an individual carrying a bulletproof vest, an imitation firearm and a taser. In East Flanders, a driver under the influence of alcohol and cannabis was checked; 1 kilogram of marijuana was found in the vehicle.
In Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, police arrested a driver after discovering 23 kilograms of cannabis in the vehicle. In Halle, a suspected drug deal led to searches during which more than €6,000, mobile phones and a vehicle were seized.
In the BoDuKaP police zone (Bonheiden, Duffel, Sint-Katelijne-Waver en Putte), a 27-year-old man from Vilvoorde was arrested. A house search uncovered, among other things, 2 kilograms of “pink cocaine,” as well as cannabis, hashish, speed, cocaine, ecstasy, mephedrone, GHB, nitrous oxide and €4,000 in cash.
In the Netherlands, following international information exchange, a vehicle with a hidden compartment was checked. It contained, among other things, approximately 2 kilograms of heroin. In another case, €70,000 in cash was found; in a money laundering investigation, around €550,000 was subsequently seized. Several suspects were arrested.
According to the services involved, the results underline the importance of joint controls and international cooperation. Additional actions are planned in 2026.
Picture (c) Police Belgium
