International Arrests Lead to Brussels Proceedings
The trial of Belgian national Flor Bressers opened this week in Brussels under tight security. Prosecutors describe him as a central organiser of a large-scale drug network, claiming he accumulated around €230m through repeated cocaine shipments. Brazilian co-defendant Sérgio Roberto de Carvalho is accused of securing €200m, with the 30 people facing charges said to have gained approximately €500m in total.
Profits Linked to Smuggling Operation
Investigators argue the group relied on Europe’s shipping routes to move large quantities of cocaine. Officials point to ten consignments allegedly overseen by Bressers, citing their value as evidence of the organisation’s vast profits. Authorities relocated the trial from Bruges to the heavily protected Justitia complex in Brussels, a site designed for high-risk cases.
Rotterdam Seizure Triggered the Inquiry
The case stems from a 2020 discovery in Rotterdam, where customs officers intercepted 3.2 tonnes of cocaine hidden in a load of manganese ore. Bressers was detained in Zurich in February 2022 before being extradited to Belgium, while De Carvalho was arrested in Hungary in 2023. Among the defendants are a Dutch lawyer and a former London-based banker, accused of laundering criminal revenue. Defence lawyers are expected to contest the prosecution’s financial figures and dispute allegations of leadership roles within the network.
