Belgium

Cocaine in Wallonia’s Cultural Capital Mons, the historic capital of Hainaut province and European Capital of Culture in 2015, presents a modest but evolving cocaine market shaped by its transformation from declining industrial city to cultural destination. The city’s identity as a UNESCO World Heritage site (with its exceptional Belfry) and a center for digital […]

Cocaine in Flanders’ Alternative Capital Ghent, Belgium’s vibrant university city and cultural capital of East Flanders, presents a dynamic, creative-class cocaine market shaped by its unique position as both a historic medieval center and a hub of contemporary arts, music, and progressive politics. The city’s identity as “Europe’s best-kept secret” with its thriving alternative scene,

Cocaine in Belgium’s Knowledge Capital Leuven, the historic university city and headquarters of the world’s largest beer company (AB InBev), presents a sophisticated, student-driven cocaine market dramatically shaped by its dual identity as a center of academic excellence and a city of youthful excess. The city’s status as home to Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Europe’s oldest

Cocaine in Wallonia’s Rebellious Heart Liège, the fiery, independent-minded capital of Wallonia and Belgium’s third-largest urban area, presents a robust, historically-rooted cocaine market shaped by its industrial heritage, strategic position as a transport hub, and famously rebellious culture. The city’s identity as the historic center of Walloon working-class militancy and a major inland port on

Cocaine in Belgium’s Post-Industrial Heartland Charleroi, the largest city in Wallonia and once the industrial powerhouse of Belgium, presents a challenging, poverty-driven cocaine market shaped by decades of deindustrialization, high unemployment, and social marginalization. The city’s identity as Europe’s “ugliest city” and a symbol of post-industrial decline creates a drug landscape where economic desperation, limited

Cocaine in the Medieval Fairy-Tale City Bruges, the exquisitely preserved medieval city and UNESCO World Heritage site in West Flanders, presents a discreet but growing cocaine market dramatically shaped by its dual identity as a mass tourism destination and a living historical monument. The city’s picture-perfect canals, Gothic architecture, and status as one of Europe’s

Cocaine in Europe’s Drug Trafficking Capital Antwerp, Belgium’s second city and one of the world’s largest ports, presents the most significant and sophisticated cocaine market in Europe, functioning as the primary gateway for South American cocaine entering the continent. The city’s identity as a global diamond, fashion, and logistics hub creates a drug landscape where

Cocaine in Belgium’s Carnival Capital Aalst, a historic city in East Flanders known worldwide for its UNESCO-recognized Carnival and as a traditional center of the textile industry, presents a distinctive cocaine market dramatically shaped by its annual festival cycle and working-class character. The city’s identity as home to one of Europe’s most anarchic and satirical

Cocaine in Europe’s Capital Brussels, as the de facto capital of the European Union and headquarters of NATO, presents a complex cocaine landscape shaped by its international character, significant wealth disparities, and strategic transport position. The city serves as a major distribution hub for cocaine in Northwestern Europe, leveraging the Port of Antwerp (45km away)