(Luxembourg, 30 January 2026) – The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Brussels (Belgium) is conducting an investigation into suspected customs fraud, corruption and the forgery of documents in the Port of Antwerp. Under the supervision of the investigating judge in Antwerp, seven searches were conducted, three individuals were arrested and several bank accounts as well as cash were seized on 20 January 2026.
This action mobilised 48 customs and police officers from the investigation team from Belgium’s General Administration of Customs and Excise (Algemene Administratie van de Douane en Accijnzen), several units from the Belgian Federal Police (CDBC, FCCU) including the Canine Support Unit and could count on the support of the Dutch Fiscal Information and Investigation Service (FIOD).
According to the evidence, a customs official and two managers of companies active in customs operations are suspected to have worked together out of the Port of Antwerp on a customs fraud scheme resulting in the loss of import duties estimated at over €11.3 million.
The EPPO investigation was initiated in 2024, following a complaint by the Belgian General Administration of Customs and Excise.
All persons concerned are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in the competent Belgian courts of law.
The EPPO is the independent public prosecution office of the European Union. It is responsible for investigating, prosecuting and bringing to judgment crimes against the financial interests of the EU.