Belgian customs have intercepted almost 20 tonnes of marijuana at the Port of Antwerp since January, a record volume that dwarfs last year’s figures. According to data reported Monday by

Gazet van Antwerpen, officers seized 19,339kg of cannabis across 13 operations — four of which involved hauls exceeding three tonnes. In 2024, authorities confiscated just 336kg.

Twelve of this year’s intercepted shipments originated in Canada, with one arriving from Thailand. The trend reflects what authorities describe as a sharp rise in illegal cannabis imports from countries where production has been partly legalised.

“Most of these shipments come in through maritime freight — predominantly via Antwerp and largely from Canada — but also through air cargo, courier and postal services, and even in passengers’ luggage,” said Francis Adyns, spokesperson for the Federal Public Service Finance.

Canada, the United States and Thailand have all legalised cannabis to varying degrees, but the regulations apply only to domestic markets. Officials say producers and criminal groups are increasingly diverting excess supply abroad.

“One hypothesis is overproduction,” said Charlotte Colman, Belgium’s national drug coordinator and a professor at Ghent University. “When legal markets generate more than they can absorb, significant quantities find their way into international trafficking routes, including seaports, airports and postal channels.” Photo by Michielverbeek, Wikimedia commons.