Police save human smuggler ... and arrest him

28 July 2015

During an action against human smuggling in a car park in Veurne, investigators of the Federal Judicial Police and the Highway Police of West Flanders spotted a low-riding Citroën Berlingo. As they were about to check the car, it drove off at full speed. It entered the E40 against the traffic in the direction of France at high speed. The car chassis was scraping against the ground and producing sparks. The police were able to stop the car. The driver fled and jumped into the canal, even though he couldn’t swim … An investigator rescued him from drowning. Fourteen victims of human smuggling were found in his car.

The smuggler, an Iraqi, was sentenced to 7 years unconditional imprisonment, a fine of EUR 84,000 and compensation of EUR 2,000 for the Highway Police colleagues.