Legal cannabis grown in Canada is increasingly being trafficked into Europe, contributing to a surge in illegal drug activity and raising concerns that Belgium is effectively becoming a "narco state," according to customs officials and law enforcement sources.

Over the past two years, Belgian authorities have seen a sharp rise in the quantity of cannabis seized at the Port of Antwerp, Europe's second-largest port, with records showing a fivefold increase in cannabis seizures from 2024 to 2025. In 2025 alone, customs officials confiscated 32 tons of cannabis, of which 21 tons originated from Canada. The number of seizures has continued to climb in 2026, with over 10.8 tons of cannabis intercepted in the first half of the year, surpassing the amount of cocaine seized during the same period.

Officials attribute much of the influx to the legal cannabis market in Canada, which was established under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government in 2018. Although the intention behind legalization was to curb illegal activity and restrict access to minors, law enforcement agencies indicate that it has inadvertently created new smuggling opportunities. Canadian-grown cannabis, including high-THC strains known as "Cali-weed," is being shipped in large containers from ports such as Vancouver, Montreal, Halifax, and St. John to major European cities.

Expert sources describe organized criminal groups, often linked to Chinese mafia networks operating in Canada, orchestrating the shipments. They exploit vulnerabilities at European ports, paying off corrupt dock workers to divert containers and prevent inspections. Once the cannabis reaches Antwerp, its wholesale value increases from approximately £800 per kilogram to as much as £4,500 when distributed within Europe. The drugs are subsequently transported through the Schengen Area via established routes also used for cocaine and amphetamines distribution.

Kristian Vanderwaeren, head of Belgian customs, has expressed concern over the challenges of simultaneously combating the trafficking of both cannabis and cocaine. He noted that while cocaine seizures have fallen dramatically—by 68% in the first half of 2026 compared to the previous year—cannabis seizures have risen sharply. Vanderwaeren emphasized the need to maintain pressure on both drugs to avoid a resurgence of cocaine trafficking.

The increased scale of trafficking has fueled fears within Belgium’s judiciary and security services. Reports indicate that criminal gangs armed with heavy weaponry, including assault rifles and hand grenades, intimidate and threaten public officials to facilitate drug shipments. Instances of judicial officials requiring police protection have been reported, and former Belgian justice minister Vincent Van Quickenborne went into hiding in 2022 following a kidnapping plot linked to Dutch drug gangs.

Canadian authorities have acknowledged the problem. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) report a significant rise in cannabis smuggling attempts from Canada to Europe via maritime shipping, with seizures now reaching tens of tons annually. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has also ramped up efforts, seizing 46 tons of cannabis destined for Europe in the past 16 months—three times the prior volume—and increasing its staffing and budget to address the issue.

The United Kingdom has similarly seen large-scale interceptions of cannabis shipments originating from Canada. In May 2026, British Border Force officials seized 12 tons of cannabis valued at £139 million, marking the largest confiscation of its kind on British soil. Several individuals from Wales were arrested and charged in connection with this case. Shortly thereafter, Canadian authorities at the Port of Saint John prevented the export of nearly 7 tons of cannabis to Scotland.

Despite the original goals of Canada’s cannabis legalization to undercut criminal enterprises and protect youth, European authorities contend that the policy has unintentionally facilitated the growth of transnational drug trafficking operations. As one EU drugs investigator stated, the illegal market adapts rapidly, and legal reforms have had unforeseen consequences on the continent’s drug landscape.