Criminal organization surrounding pioneer of Antwerp cocaine smuggling referred to criminal court (Antwerp)

The council chamber in Antwerp referred twelve suspects from a criminal organization to the criminal court on Friday. Among them is Hoesny A., according to insiders one of the pioneers of cocaine smuggling in Antwerp. The criminal organization was not only involved in the import of narcotics, but also with large-scale money laundering.

In the aftermath of Operation Sky, the Antwerp federal judicial police started an investigation in 2021 into a financial advisor in Antwerp who allegedly made his services available to a criminal organization. It soon turned out that the man was part of a large criminal organization.

The head of that organization was Hoesny A. He grew up in the vicinity of the Sportpaleis but has since exchanged Deurne for Dubai. According to insiders, he is not only one of the pioneers of cocaine smuggling, Hoesny A. is also said to be one of the largest and richest drug barons in our country.

“The investigation revealed a clear and well-organized structure, in which the organization is said to have been involved in the import of narcotics, mainly via the port of Antwerp, and the laundering of the resulting capital gains,” the Antwerp public prosecutor’s office explains.

Over a period of one and a half years, the organization is said to have amassed at least 15 million in criminal assets. In August 2022, investigators carried out no fewer than 21 searches. In addition to several luxury goods and cars, no less than 900,000 euros in cash could be seized.

Initially, three people were arrested. During further investigation, more suspects were identified. On Friday, the council chamber in Antwerp decided to refer twelve people who were allegedly part of the criminal organization to the criminal court. This also includes Hoesny A., who currently still resides in Dubai. Both Belgium and France are requesting his extradition – so far in vain.