sky ecc kraak legt 225 miljoen aan crimineel geld bloot
Antwerpen, vrijdag, 27 februari 2026.
Een vijfjarige internationale operatie tegen versleutelde app Sky ECC heeft geleid tot ruim 1.200 veroordelingen. Justitie nam 225 miljoen euro crimineel vermogen in beslag. Ruim een derde van alle onderschepte berichten was in het Albanees. Dat leidde tot 340 arrestatiebevelen in Albanië, waar ook 15 moorden zijn opgelost. Hoogwaardige doelen, onder wie topcriminelen, werden uit Dubai teruggehaald. Ondanks deze successen klagen officieren van justitie over gebrek aan personeel. De haven van Antwerpen blijft een centrale slagzone in de strijd tegen de cocaïnehandel.
five-year investigation dismantles encrypted criminal network
The five-year judicial investigation into the Sky ECC encrypted communication platform has concluded. Authorities identified nearly 5,000 suspects across 673 national court files. Over 1.2 billion messages were intercepted during the probe. Analysis revealed that 30 percent of communications were in Albanian, indicating deep ties to organized crime networks in the Balkans. The scale of data interception enabled cross-border investigations, particularly in Albania, where 15 murders and 15 attempted killings were solved using the evidence [1][4].
record seizures and convictions mark major law enforcement victory
Belgian authorities secured 1,206 criminal convictions linked to the Sky ECC case. Total prison sentences amounted to 3,684 years. Financial assets worth €224.3 million were seized under anti-money laundering laws. In Antwerp alone, 455 legal cases were initiated based on decrypted communications. Federal prosecutor Geert Schorens stated the findings prove Sky ECC was used exclusively for illegal activities [3][5]. The operation also led to the extradition of 13 high-value targets from Dubai, including prominent figures such as Flor Bressers and Othman El Ballouti [2][4].
albanian connections expose corruption and transnational violence
Decrypted Sky ECC messages exposed extensive criminal operations in Albania. Investigators issued 340 arrest warrants targeting individuals involved in murder, drug trafficking, and institutional corruption. Among those implicated were senior politicians, judges, prosecutors, and police officers. Albanian authorities acted on the intelligence, seizing $26 million in cryptocurrency. The collaboration resolved 15 homicides previously considered unsolvable. Messages showed coordination between European distributors and South American cartels via intermediaries in the United Arab Emirates [5][6].
delays in resourcing undermine long-term effectiveness
Despite significant results, judicial officials express frustration over slow implementation of promised support measures. Antwerp chief prosecutor Franky De Keyzer emphasized the urgent need for specialized magistrates dedicated to port-related economic crimes. He noted that commitments made in government coalition agreements remain unfulfilled. Federal police commissioner Yve Driesen echoed concerns, calling for flexible hiring practices similar to those in the Netherlands to accelerate recruitment. Without additional personnel, sustained pressure on organized crime groups remains difficult [2][4][6].
antwerp port remains focal point in ongoing cocaine trade
Cocaine smuggling through the Port of Antwerp continues to pose a serious challenge. In 2025, customs intercepted 55 metric tons of cocaine, underscoring persistent vulnerabilities. Communications analysis confirmed active management of shipments from the United Arab Emirates, with weekly coordination of up to thirteen transports. Despite the closure of the central Sky ECC dossier, investigators stress that dismantling infrastructure does not eliminate demand or supply chains. The encrypted messaging platform had served as a critical tool for logistics coordination among international syndicates [5][6].