Franco-Belgian Crime Syndicate Exposed: From Arms Trafficking to Botched Robbery
A complex criminal network spanning France, Belgium, and Germany has been dismantled following a years-long investigation into a series of crimes ranging from arms trafficking to a planned large-scale robbery. The operation, culminating in arrests on February 27, 2025, reveals a sophisticated organization led by figures with decades of experience in organized crime.
The investigation initially focused on Abderrahim Bekhti, 50, a known associate of Hassan Maâche, a veteran criminal active since the 1980s. Bekhti’s history includes complicity in violent crimes and, notably, the illicit trade of weaponry. Authorities allege that Bekhti’s network, operating from Place Lemmens in Anderlecht, facilitated the movement of Kalashnikovs, explosives, and even rocket launchers as early as 2008.
“Narcotics expats” – individuals recruited from abroad to engage in drug dealing and violence – were allegedly contracted for as much as €15,000 for targeted killings in Brussels. Bekhti was also implicated in a 2008 shooting on Avenue Stalingrad, though a confession obtained during a 2010 trial was later retracted after crucial evidence was lost in a fire at the Brussels courthouse in 2012.
Dubbed a “supergangster” by colleagues, Bekhti spent several years incarcerated in French prisons, where he reportedly forged a connection with Antonio Ferrara, 52, a Franco-Italian criminal known as “the king of beauty” for his repeated escapes from prison. Ferrara, released on full sentence in July 2022, is a seasoned robber with a long history of criminal activity.
The pair, along with other members of Ferrara’s gang, began planning a daring robbery targeting a cash storage facility in Bochum, Germany. However, law enforcement officials suggest the group underestimated the advancements in police engagement and cross-border cooperation. “In fact, they did not take into account developments in police engagement and investigation techniques, nor cross-border cooperation in their project. It’s a bit of ‘boomers’ of the robbery,” a source close to the investigation quipped.
Following the 2015-2016 terrorist attacks, increased information sharing between national authorities proved crucial. Belgian authorities identified Bekhti’s contacts in Germany while French investigators simultaneously tracked movements among French robbers. For months, the gang operated under surveillance, unaware that their activities were being monitored. This allowed authorities to discreetly place a hidden microphone in one of the gang’s vehicles, ultimately leading to their arrest in Eupen on February 27, 2025.
The dismantling of this network highlights the evolving challenges of combating transnational crime and the importance of international collaboration in disrupting sophisticated criminal enterprises. The case serves as a reminder that even experienced criminals can fall prey to modern investigative techniques.
