In a startling development, Belgian customs officials reported a staggering seizure of 21 tonnes of Canadian cannabis at the port of Antwerp in 2025, marking a significant increase in smuggling operations to Europe following Canada’s legalization of marijuana in 2018. This amount far surpasses illegal cannabis exports from any other nation, including Morocco, which previously held the title as Europe’s leading supplier.
Kristian Vanderwaeren, the director general of Belgian Customs and Excise, stated that smugglers are capitalizing on the high demand for cannabis in Europe, where potential profits are considerably larger than in Canada. “According to my information, it has to do with the policy of the Canadian government,” he said. Vanderwaeren mentioned the immense market of 320 million Europeans who are willing to pay a premium for cannabis, with wholesale prices in the Netherlands averaging around 4,100 Euros (approximately $6,429 CAD) per kilogram.
In contrast, the wholesale price of cannabis in Canada ranges from $1,000 to $1,500 CAD per kilogram, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Vanderwaeren first noticed an increase in cannabis smuggling incidents in 2024, prompting him to alert the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for assistance. As a result of heightened scrutiny, the CBSA reported seizing about 34 tonnes of cannabis destined for export at maritime border points in 2025 alone.
Despite significant efforts to curb smuggling operations, cannabis seizures at the Port of Antwerp have outpaced those of cocaine for the first time. The Port of Rotterdam, Europe’s largest port, is also witnessing an increase in Canadian cannabis interceptions, further illustrating the scale of the issue.
Ine Van Wymersch, Belgium’s first drug commissioner, emphasized the need for collaboration between countries to tackle this growing problem. She noted that the cannabis being sold on Belgian streets is also making its way throughout Europe. “We see that criminal groups are taking advantage of a gray zone that is really hard for the Canadian government to mitigate and to regulate,” she said.
In recent months, Belgian customs have become increasingly vigilant, employing a range of detection methods including scanners and trained dogs, particularly as they confront a surge in suspicious shipments from Canada. One notable case involved a container supposedly holding household items, which was found to conceal marijuana packaged within hollowed-out juke boxes.
The smuggling operations employ well-established maritime routes and networks that have historically been associated with other drugs. According to Europol, criminal organizations are adaptive, often rerouting shipments to navigate law enforcement challenges. Vanderwaeren noted a slight decrease in cannabis seizures recently, attributing this change to increased efforts from the CBSA.
In a move towards international cooperation, a letter of intent was signed among Canadian, Belgian, French, and Dutch customs officials to exchange intelligence in combating drug trafficking. However, Europol warned that the lucrative nature of the cannabis trade, combined with demand in European markets, suggests the illicit market may continue to thrive.
The response to this multifaceted issue remains ongoing, with both Canadian and Belgian officials acknowledging the complex interactions of local and global drug markets. Van Wymersch stated, “If we don’t focus on the global level and we don’t act on the local level, we will never come to something sustainable.”
