BRUSSELS, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo has announced new measures to fight against the drug mafia, including the appointment of a national drug commissioner.
De Croo outlined the new national strategy at the end of the National Security Council on Thursday. Alongside a drug commissioner, other measures include boosting the Maritime Police with 116 additional officers, and the creation of a new security corps for the port of Antwerp with 86 officers.
Customs services will be reinforced, with 108 new officers to be recruited in the port of Antwerp.
There will be a fixed fine of 75 euros for the possession of less than 10 grams of cannabis, and 150 euros (160 U.S. dollars) for 20 grams or less. For the possession of cocaine, the fine will be up to 1,000 euros.
According to the Belgian newspaper Trends, in 2022 Belgium seized 110 tons of cocaine in the port of Antwerp.
Also to fight drug trafficking, Belgium is considering developing international police cooperation, and to this end a meeting with the Dutch authorities has been scheduled for Feb. 17. (1 euro = 1.07 U.S. dollars) ■
