Drug-related shootings in Molenbeek: organiser identified, still at large abroad
The alleged organiser of the shootings in July on avenue de Roovere in Molenbeek has been identified. He has not yet been arrested; diplomatic proceedings are underway.
Organiser of Molenbeek shootings identified, but still out of reach
The alleged organiser of the shootings that occurred in July on avenue de Roovere in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean has been identified, according to DHnet. Mayor Catherine Moureaux (PS) announced this on Tuesday evening during the municipal council meeting. "He has not yet been arrested because he is in another country and diplomatic action is underway in order to be able to arrest him," she clarified in response to a citizen query.
Two shootings on 24 and 25 July
The incidents date back to 24 and 25 July. The first shooting damaged the entrance of a building at number 14 on the avenue, without causing any injuries. The second hit a man with a bullet in the arm; his life was not in danger.
A resident of social housing denounced the persistent insecurity in her neighbourhood. "Today, fear has taken hold in our neighbourhood," she testified, regretting having had to alert the media before obtaining a reaction from municipal authorities. She called for lasting measures against drug trafficking.
Police reinforcements and arrest figures
Moureaux defended the action of the municipal executive, recalling the deployment of police reinforcements from July with the support of the federal police, which remained mobilised in several neighbourhoods of the municipality. Between 1 May and 26 August, 21 reports and ten judicial arrests were recorded in the sector concerned.
On a police zone-wide scale, 397 arrests linked to narcotics were recorded until 1 October, of which 349 were referred to the public prosecutor and 112 arrest warrants were issued.
Investment in video surveillance
The mayor also mentioned an investment of approximately three million euros in video surveillance. Alderman Dirk De Block (PTB), in charge of Housing in Molenbeek, announced the relocation of cameras in the neighbourhood in order to limit their sabotage, as well as enhanced collaboration with tenants.
The resident warned, however, that trafficking had apparently moved to other building entrances.
Source: DHnet