In total, this amounts to approximately nine tons, of which eight tons are cannabis from the US, Canada and Thailand. The sharp increase from the US is attributed to higher prices in Europe.
It is clear that it is more profitable to sell cannabis on the European market than in the US and Canada, says Belgian customs chief Kristian Vanderwaeren.
The drugs are mainly transported in three different ways: Hidden in containers, in small packages and in passengers' luggage.
We cannot have any illusions that there are not large quantities slipping past us, says Vanderwaeren.
Belgium has long been a gateway for illegal drugs into the European market, primarily via the port of Antwerp.
