Shootings linked to drug trafficking have become increasingly common in Brussels, with over 100 incidents recorded in 2025 and more than 65 so far in 2026, according to BBC. The violence has escalated to the point where one neighborhood in St Gilles experienced three shootings in three days.

Residents Describe Daily Threats

Residents like Salvatore, a local restaurant owner, describe the violence as resembling an American gangster movie. ‘We dropped to the floor. I had clients eating on the terrace with children. Look, we can see the bullet impacts everywhere,’ he said. His restaurant is located on a pretty square near the international Midi train station, a hub for passengers arriving from London and Paris.

Murielle, a 70-year-old resident, described how drug dealers used to be polite and respectful. ‘I would just tell them to go further away and they’d say, ‘Yes, ok mama!” But the area has changed, with dealers now fighting over prime selling spots and consumers queuing for drugs. ‘Sometimes you even see consumers queuing to buy drugs. And now gangs are fighting over this spot,’ she noted.

Economic Incentives Fuel Violence

Drug dealing in Brussels has become highly lucrative. A successful drug-dealing point can generate up to €50,000 ($58,000; £43,000) per day, according to the chief of Brussels South Police, Jurgen de Landsheer. This has led to an increase in crack cocaine use among the poorest in the area.

A recent cross-border police operation in Ireland uncovered a significant drugs bust, highlighting the international nature of the drug trade. In Dundalk, County Louth, 119kg of cannabis was found in a car. Follow-up searches in Newtownabbey, County Antrim, turned up an additional 45kg of cannabis, half a kilogram of suspected cocaine, and 22 imitation firearms, along with £25,000 in cash. A man in his 40s has been charged and is due to appear before Cavan District Court on Friday.

Community Fears and Police Response

Murielle and her dog Chéva are now sitting at the site of a recent shooting, where they can still see the trace of a pool of blood. She expressed hope that peace would soon return to her street. ‘I like it here. It’s like a little village inside the city.’ However, the reality is far from peaceful, with drug-related violence continuing to threaten the safety of residents and visitors alike.

Police and gardaí are continuing their investigations into the cross-border drug trade. The situation in Brussels reflects a broader trend of increasing drug-related violence, driven by the high profits associated with drug dealing. The challenge for authorities is to address the root causes of the violence while ensuring the safety of communities affected by the trade.