Belgium will test a system so that seized cocaine immediately self-destructs

The security forces of Belgium They want to introduce in 2024 a cutting-edge system so that the cocaine seized property immediately self-destructs, thus preventing it from being the target of theft.

“We came up with the idea of ​​developing a process in which cocaine is destroyed as soon as it is seized (…). The technology is currently being developed by the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO)“, the national anti-drug commissioner, Ine Van Wymersch, explained to the Flemish radio station VRT.

The port of Antwerp, in northwest Belgium, has become the largest gateway for cocaine in Europegoing from 4.5 tons of cocaine seized in 2013 to 110 tonnes in 2022, although experts estimate that only 10% of the drug is detected.

This increase, also related to an increase in violent episodes attributed to organized crime, has exceeded the provision of infrastructure, since Belgium It only has an incinerator oven capable of destroying the drugs.

“Ultimately, we are victims of its success (…). Nobody confiscates such amounts of drugs and there is only one authorized incineratorVan Wymersch noted.

Last October, seven people of Dutch nationality were arrested in the region of Antwerp when they were preparing to steal 10 tons of cocaine intercepted days before.

For this reason, the Belgian authorities have decided to try to make the process more efficient, taking inspiration from the systems of the armored vans they use “explosive suitcases” that destroy cash in the event of a robbery.

The drugs would still have to be finally sent to an incinerator for final neutralization after the automatic destruction process, which Belgium hopes to introduce next fall.

“But with an ‘explosive suitcase’ we would save time and this incinerator would be enough”Van Wymersch added.

This is a new process, since “Other countries have never had to think about it because they don’t seize these huge amounts of cocaine at the same time.“explained the commissioner.

Faced with a similar storage problem, in EcuadorFor example, a system is being tested to convert cocaine into concrete and use it as construction material, which is faster than incineration.