400 Kilos of Cocaine Seized at Brussels Airport
In a significant crackdown, customs at Brussels Airport recently intercepted almost 400 kilograms (882 pounds) of cocaine from two separate flights arriving from the Caribbean. The flights involved were operated by TUI Fly Belgium and originated from Cancún, Mexico, and Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Cocaine Seized on TUI Fly Belgium Flights
Brussels International Airport (BRU), Belgium's largest airport, has become a focal point for drug smuggling activities. According to Belgian Customs, eight suitcases filled with cocaine were seized on a flight from Cancún, while four suitcases were intercepted from a flight arriving from Montego Bay. Both incidents occurred within a few days of each other, highlighting the ongoing challenges in combating drug trafficking through the airport.
TUI Fly Belgium, which operates exclusive direct services between these Caribbean destinations and Brussels, was the carrier involved in both cases. The airline’s sole Boeing 787 Dreamliner, registered PH-TFL, was used for these flights. The Montego Bay flight operates weekly on Thursdays, while the Cancún service runs thrice weekly.
Details of the Incidents
The Montego Bay flight arrived slightly late, landing at around 11 a.m. local time, and the four suitcases were discovered upon arrival. Similarly, the Cancún flight landed on time at 11:54 a.m., and customs officials found eight suitcases filled with cocaine.
The PH-TFL aircraft has a dense seating configuration with 154 economy seats, 126 economy 'plus' seats, and 25 premium economy seats. This aircraft was wet-leased from TUI Fly Netherlands, which currently operates two Boeing 787s, while TUI Fly Belgium has transferred one of its aircraft to meet higher demand for long-haul flights from Amsterdam.
Historical Context and Future Implications
The recent seizures underscore the ongoing drug trafficking issues at Brussels Airport. Historically, the airport has been a key point for drug smuggling, especially on routes from the Caribbean. Air Belgium's previous services to Curaçao were identified as high-risk for drug transport before they were suspended due to low demand and high fuel costs. This suspension led to a significant drop in drug interceptions at the airport.
Belgian customs reported a sharp decrease in drug-filled packages from nearly 1,000 in 2022 to just 300 in 2023, following the suspension of the Curaçao route. However, TUI Fly Belgium plans to reintroduce this route in November, potentially increasing the risk of drug trafficking. As a result, the airline will drop its Montego Bay service and replace it with a triangular route including Curaçao and Punta Cana.