Sophie De Wit: “Criminals who exploit minors should face harsher punishments”

MP Sophie De Wit has responded sharply to new figures she received through a parliamentary question regarding the involvement of minors in drug-related offences. “We cannot allow our young people to fall into the hands of the narco-mafia,” De Wit warns.

Minors increasingly involved in drug offences

In total, youth prosecutors registered no fewer than 17,724 drug-related cases involving minors over 2022, 2023, and 2024. The problem is especially visible in major judicial districts. Antwerp tops the list with 3,024 youth cases over three years, followed by East Flanders with 2,925 cases, and Brussels with 1,938.

The figures show that the vast majority of cases—72% or 12,711 files—concern possession of narcotics. In addition, more than a quarter—4,715 cases—involve sale, supply, or delivery of drugs by minors.

De Wit emphasises that these numbers clearly show minors are increasingly playing an active role in drug crime, particularly in distribution and trade. “Criminal networks are deliberately targeting minors, using them as easily manipulated links in their operations. We must urgently increase penalties for drug lords or organised gangs that use minors to do their dirty work—whether it’s picking up money, extracting drugs, or even committing violent attacks,” De Wit says.

Data gaps must be addressed

The minister’s response also revealed that current national databases are incomplete. While the General National Database (ANG) does track the number of minors suspected of drug-related offences, it fails to record data on youths used as “extractors” in ports, and lacks information on victims of such crimes.

“I call on the competent minister to ensure more precise data is recorded in the ANG,” De Wit urges. “Better data will allow policy and legislation to reflect the actual situation on the ground.”

She also stresses the need for improved tracking of youth justice data—particularly to monitor the effectiveness of measures imposed and detect possible repeat offenders. “We must not let our young people fall into the grip of the narco-mafia. With consistent prosecution of recruiters and early intervention through education and youth support services, we can keep young people from being drawn into the criminal underworld,” De Wit concludes.