Investigation Triggered by Major Dutch Seizure
Belgian prosecutors on Monday began proceedings against Flor Bressers, who is accused of orchestrating a lucrative cocaine import network into Europe. The case stems from a 2020 interception in Rotterdam, when customs officers uncovered 3.2 tonnes of the drug hidden in manganese ore. Authorities say that discovery exposed a far-reaching operation responsible for repeated shipments across European ports.
Authorities Claim Hundreds of Millions in Gains
According to the prosecution, Bressers alone pocketed about €230m from ten consignments, while alleged associate Sérgio Roberto de Carvalho accumulated close to €200m. Altogether, investigators contend the 30 people on trial shared roughly €500m in criminal proceeds. The hearing has been moved to the heavily guarded Justitia complex in Brussels, formerly a NATO facility, because of heightened security concerns.
Arrests Across Europe Precede Court Case
Bressers was detained in Zurich in early 2022 and later transferred to Belgium, while De Carvalho was captured in Hungary the following year. The list of defendants also includes a Dutch attorney and a former London-based financier, accused of laundering illicit revenue. Defence teams are expected to dispute the prosecution’s financial calculations and challenge their clients’ alleged leadership roles in the network.
