Belgium needs more incinerators to burn seized cocaine

Belgium has seized so much cocaine from smugglers operating through the port of Antwerp that it needs more incinerator space to destroy it, officials have said.

Authorities are concerned that depots used to store the drugs could become targets for robberies by powerful gangs seeking to recover their lucrative cargoes.

Officials in the Flanders regional government said a plan could be announced as soon as Tuesday.

Belgian authorities are on course to seize more than 100 tonnes in 2022, a new record after 89.5 tonnes was seized last year.

According to local media reports, suspected gang members have been seen using drones to scout around customs depots housing seized cocaine worth millions of euros.