Belgian Court Sentences Over 100 in Drug Trial

In Belgium's largest drug trial to date, over 120 defendants were convicted for their roles in a substantial cocaine and cannabis trafficking network, with sentences reaching up to 17 years. The trial, which lasted five months, highlighted Belgium's pivotal position as a European drug entry point, particularly through the port of Antwerp. The case stemmed from the successful cracking of the Sky ECC encrypted messaging service, which had been used by criminal gangs to coordinate their operations. Among those sentenced was Algerian Abdelwahab Guerni, identified as a ringleader, while others faced charges including violence and money laundering. Despite the convictions, defense lawyers questioned the legality of evidence obtained from intercepted messages and the broader effectiveness of such sentences in addressing drug-related crime. The operation dismantled a network that spanned Belgium, South America, and North Africa, operating from 2017 until late 2022.