Stolen jewellery trafficking Paris-Antwerp: 19 arrests, Charleroi used as transit hub
Simultaneous raids in Paris, Charleroi and Antwerp led to the arrest of 19 people and the seizure of jewellery, gold ingots and luxury watches.
Large-scale receiving network between Paris and Antwerp dismantled, Charleroi at heart of transit
A coordinated police operation conducted on 27 and 28 May made it possible to dismantle a significant stolen jewellery trafficking network linking Paris to Antwerp via Charleroi, according to RTBF Info. In total, 19 people were arrested: 9 in France and 10 in Belgium.
In the intercepted vehicles, investigators found "more than 2 kg of loose jewellery and precious stones, and €54,000". Raids conducted in private homes and five jewellery shops involved in Belgium made it possible to seize "6 kg of gold ingots valued at €700,000, numerous pieces of loose jewellery, €65,000 in cash, as well as dozens of luxury watches", according to Laure Beccau, the Paris prosecutor.
In Charleroi, the raids targeted private homes, specified Amélie Di Vicenzo, deputy prosecutor of the King's Prosecutor's Office in Charleroi. Five people were taken into custody there. One of them was placed under arrest warrant for receiving stolen goods and participation in a criminal organisation. Two others were deprived of liberty in execution of a European arrest warrant issued by France. The city was, however, only a transit point in this trafficking operation.
Charleroi police also participated in raids in the Antwerp region, where three people were arrested. Two were deprived of liberty: one for receiving stolen goods, the other for receiving stolen goods and participation in a criminal organisation. The establishments targeted in Antwerp were located in the diamond merchants' quarter — jewellery shops that facilitated the resale of stolen items.
French justice highlighted the involvement "of two brothers of Serbian origin and their families", at the head "of a substantial real estate portfolio, whilst they declared no business activity". Investigators further discovered plans "for acquisitions in Dubai and holdings of cryptocurrencies", assessing the total assets at several million euros, emphasised prosecutor Beccau.
Source: RTBF Info