Timeline

Violence erupts: two grenades explode in one night in Deurne and Borgerhout. House shot at in De Gryspeerstraat

Operatie Nachtwacht launched - largest police operation in Antwerp in 20 years. Nightly patrols with MP5 weapons

Six-month results: 187 arrests, 15,000 individuals controlled, 724 legal proceedings. Sky ECC cracked - 1 billion messages intercepted

11-year-old Firdaous killed in shooting in Merksem - linked to El Ballouti trafficking network. National shock

Arrested in Quito, Ecuador with 278 kg of cocaine. Sentenced to 13 years

Rexhepi builds and runs Kompania Bello from Ecuadorian prison cell - negotiates directly with South American cartels

Operation Los Blancos: 84 arrests across 10 countries, nearly 4 tonnes cocaine and EUR 5.5 million seized

Rexhepi released to semi-open regime with ankle monitor despite international warrants

Rexhepi disappears after last check-in. Later cuts ankle monitor and vanishes

Recaptured in Istanbul with forged Colombian passport under alias "Benjamin Omar Perez Garcia"

Right-hand man Remzi Ademi arrested in North Macedonia

Rexhepi extradited from Turkey to Albania under heavy security. Albania wins over competing requests from Italy, England, and Belgium

Lazzez publicly thanks sanctioned Daniel Kinahan from inside UFC cage in Las Vegas: "Without him, I would never be the man who I am today"

Dragon Road Limited (Lazzez as director) purchases oil tanker "Alisha" for $41.75 million - renamed "Serene I"

Faith Enterprise Limited (Lazzez as director) purchases oil tanker "Luna Lake" for $42.75 million - renamed "Phonix." Same month: MV Matthew seized off Ireland with EUR 157M cocaine - operated from same Marshall Islands address

Both tankers depart Singapore Strait toward Persian Gulf - make multiple round trips between Iran and China carrying suspected IRGC oil products

971 Fighting Championship at Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai - Daniel and Christy Kinahan photographed cageside. Lazzez seen interacting with both during 6-hour event

US Treasury sanctions Dragon Road Limited and Serene I for loading IRGC-QF products on behalf of Hezbollah-affiliated Concepto Screen SAL Offshore. Dragon Road annulled, Faith Enterprise dissolved

US Treasury sanctions Phonix and its operator Vision Ship Management LLP for transporting Iranian oil

Lazzez departs Dubai gym - staff confirm no contact since. Relocates to Italy with family and starts personal training business in Ascoli Piceno

Bellingcat and The Sunday Times publish investigation. Lazzez immediately deletes social media accounts and does not respond to inquiries

Alphen aan den Rijn broker exposed: 22,500 chat messages, 1,800 contacts, 4-10% commission. Money sent to brother Zakaria in Idlib under Al-Nusra/IS control. Prosecution demands 40 months

Investico/Argos expose Danish-Dutch front network: 3,400 transactions, EUR 80M+. Middle Eastern cash paid to hawaladars in Iraq/Syria, Danish fronts wired clean money to 100+ Dutch exporters including Zwolle dairy producer

Ismail M. arrested in Morocco - major breakthrough in Taghi network investigation

Cannabis cultivation becomes major economic activity in Rif region

Peter van D begins working as a tiler in South Limburg. The criminal milieu around safe-cracker Arno M develops. Focus shifts from safe-cracking to the chemical trade, particularly Preludine.

The drug trade in southern Netherlands shifts from Preludine and amphetamines to XTC (MDMA). Peter van D transitions from a regional player to a fixed international factor in the growing synthetic drug market.

An explosive device is placed under Peter van D's car at his home in Heerle. It detonates prematurely, leaving him unharmed but causing significant damage.

Isaac born in Ghana, later raised in the Netherlands

Rexhepi commits murder in Fushe-Kruje, Albania, at age 19

Four men - drug lords Rinus de Boer and Nico van Golde, and brothers Polle and Frank Taminiau - are shot dead in Hilvarenbeek. Peter van D's name surfaces in the investigation due to business ties with De Boer and Van Golde.

A third assassination attempt occurs at the entrance gate of Peter van D's secured property in Schinveld. A shooter opens fire, wounding Peter, but he survives.

The "meisjes" dossier investigation into international drug trafficking begins. Peter van D's Amsterdam company Metro Wester Chemie is tapped. A raid on his home uncovers 1,000 XTC pills, heavy weapons, and a passport under a false name.

Gerel P. and Ridouan Taghi grow up as friends in Utrecht, members of "The Bad Boys" gang

Post-9/11: Western intelligence maps hawala networks at scale for the first time. Al-Qaeda used hawaladars to move operational funds undetected. US designates hawala as key terrorism financing vulnerability

UN estimates Morocco produces 3,000 tonnes of hashish annually

Marco Eijk is liquidated in Achel, Belgium. Rumors link his death to the alleged theft of 15,000 liters of PMK, an XTC precursor, from Peter van D's network.

A kidnapping in Antwerp following a failed cocaine transaction leads to Peter van D's villa in Schinveld. A subsequent raid uncovers approximately EUR 90,000 in cash, a firearm, and drugs.

Crown witness Peter La Serpe declares that he, along with Jesse and Reggie R, picked up a Kalashnikov from Peter van D's villa. This weapon was allegedly later used in the murder of real estate dealer Cees Houtman.

Rexhepi walks out of police custody in Durres - tells guard "They're finished with me"

Escapes Milan prison using a saw and bedsheet ropes. Later escapes from Antwerp prison

Lazzez relocates from Tunisia to Dubai and begins professional MMA career

Term "Mocro Maffia" first used in Dutch media after wave of assassinations

Najeb Bouhbou shot 16 times at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Antwerp in a hit orchestrated by Benaouf Adaoui - the first murder of the Mocro War

Gwenette Martha and associates armed with weapons arrested on Dam Square while hunting for Ben - foiled by a patrolling police officer

Staatsliedenbuurt shooting: over 50 rounds fired at Ben's Range Rover. Said El Yazidi and Youssef Lkhorf killed. Ben escapes by jumping into a canal. Gunmen fire at police officers

Dutch and Belgian banks implement countermeasures against ATM bombings - attacks shift to Germany

Rida Bennajem murdered in Amsterdam-Slotervaart at age 21, suspected of setting up Benaouf Adaoui for the Staatsliedenbuurt hit

Benaouf Adaoui arrested for weapon possession and money laundering. Later charged and sentenced to 12 years for the Bouhbou murder

Ismail M. and his brothers first appear in Dutch criminal dossiers linked to Taghi organizations

Murder of Mohammed Alarasi in Amersfoort (dossier 09Brand) - Lucifer case linked to Ismail M.'s ex-brother-in-law Jaouad W.

Gwenette Martha assassinated in Amstelveen - shot over 80 times after leaving a restaurant

Murder of Samir Jabli in Amersfoort (dossier 09Hendrick) - part of the Lucifer case

Audi Gang phenomenon emerges - hundreds of explosive ATM attacks begin across Germany

Violent ING ATM explosion in Breda followed by high-speed chase into Belgium with Kalashnikov fire at police

Ronald Bakker, spyshop employee in Nieuwegein, shot dead outside his home. Gerel P. later identified as shooter

First assassinations linked to Taghi network

EncroChat launches as encrypted communication platform for criminals

Escalation of violence - multiple public shootings in Amsterdam

Audi Gang team crashes returning from robbery in Uerdingen, Germany - Yassin C. dies on impact

Audi RS4 crashes after Sparkasse ATM bombing in Meppen - Sadik C. dies, Anouar Taghi flees on foot

Gerel P. ambushes Eduardo P. and Shernon B. in a remote area in Noorderloos - both survive

Drug violence waves begin in Antwerp - 41 tonnes cocaine seized at port

Nabil B. becomes crown witness

Gerel P. arrested in Paramaribo, Suriname, three months after fleeing the Netherlands

Gerel P. escapes high-security prison in Suriname with suspected help from his lawyer

Adaoui transferred to maximum security prison in Vught. PGP phones found in his cell reveal ongoing hit coordination and a target list called El Listo

Helicopter prison escape attempt from Roermond foiled by Dutch police. Colombian pilot, multiple armed teams, and elaborate diversion tactics neutralized. Accomplice Aros shot dead by police

Antwerp seizes 50+ tonnes of cocaine for first time

Convicted for money laundering and armed extortion in Rotterdam - 14 months

Copja brothers establish cocaine trafficking operations from Dubai, scaling from small Italian distribution to international network

Reduan B. (brother of crown witness) murdered in Amsterdam

Shifts to large-scale imports. Car rental in Barendrecht operational

A major raid by law enforcement takes place at Peter van D's villa in Schinveld, leading to his arrest and the discovery of hidden cash, weapons, and drugs - the culmination of a decades-long pursuit.

BearCat armored vehicles first deployed by Antwerp police

50 kg cocaine shipment lost in Great Britain - origin of the Copja-Alibej blood feud

Weski begins representing Ridouan Taghi in the Marengo trial

Lawyer Derk Wiersum assassinated - shockwave through Netherlands

Assassination of lawyer Derk Wiersum shocks Netherlands

Lawyer Derk Wiersum assassinated - Jaouad suspected of ordering

Lawyer Derk Wiersum assassinated in Amsterdam - stolen cars supplied through Anouar Taghi's network

Lawyer Derk Wiersum murdered in Amsterdam-Buitenveldert - Jaouad F. suspected of directing role

Rival of Anouar Taghi severely beaten with hammers and baseball bats near Utrecht - DNA of Anouar Taghi found in getaway vehicle

Weski temporarily steps down as Taghi's lawyer, claiming no fair trial possible

Ridouan Taghi arrested in Dubai

Ridouan Taghi arrested in Dubai, transferred to EBI Vught

Ridouan Taghi arrested in Dubai and transferred to the EBI in Vught

Taghi arrested in Dubai, extradited to NL, imprisoned in EBI Vught. Weski resumes defense

49.3 tonnes seized at Port of Antwerp alone

Real explosives usage increases 500% - EUR 17 million stolen from German ATMs. Training center discovered in Utrecht

Lazzez signed to UFC after recommendation by a friend of Dana White's teenage son

FIOD raids four homes and a business in Rotterdam region. Two suspects arrested for hawala banking and terrorism financing. Money transferred to women in jihadist camps. Thousands in cash seized

Ardit Spahiu murdered in Molenbeek, Brussels on orders of Franc Copja - retaliation against the Alibej family

French police install interception tool on EncroChat servers in Roubaix

EncroChat sends warning to users - platform compromised. 100M+ messages already intercepted

Arrests in the Anouar Taghi assault case - Ismail M. directs response from abroad via Sky ECC

Intercepted messages suggest Weski brought information to and from EBI on a USB stick

Massive wave of arrests across Europe - hundreds detained in first weeks

Pasta House shootings and dock worker home invasion. Sky ECC documents operations

Youssef T. recruited as communication courier - starts visiting EBI twice weekly

Record 89.5 tonnes seized in Antwerp; Rotterdam seizes 70+ tonnes

Sky ECC - similar encrypted network - also cracked by Belgian police

Record 89.5 tonnes seized in Antwerp; 40+ tonnes in Rotterdam

Morocco legalizes cannabis for medical and industrial use

4,200 kg cocaine seized in Antwerp - hidden in squid shipments

Raffaele Imperiale arrested in Dubai, extradited to Italy, becomes collaborating witness

673 judicial dossiers opened with Sky ECC data as key evidence

Convicted in absentia to 20 years for the attempted murders of Eduardo P. and Shernon B. in Noorderloos

Henk Vermeer goes public: single network moved EUR 320M. Daily minimum EUR 10-20M flows through underground systems in Netherlands alone. Dutch Central Bank reports sharp increase in suspicious transaction reports

Said Razzouki arrested in Colombia

Marengo trial begins at the Bunker in Amsterdam

1,600 Belgian agents raid 200+ locations - Sky ECC cracked

Crime journalist Peter R. de Vries shot dead in Amsterdam

Peter R. de Vries shot dead in Amsterdam - advisor to crown witness Nabil B.

Peter R. de Vries shot in Amsterdam after leaving RTL Boulevard - photo identifying him traced to Ismail M.'s device

After years on the run, Gerel P. arrested by Brazilian police in Rio de Janeiro following DEA and Interpol tip-off

Meld Misdaad Anoniem receives tip: "The attack on De Vries was ordered by Jarki"

Peter R. de Vries dies from his injuries

Youssef Taghi (nephew, also a lawyer) arrested for smuggling messages from Taghi via iPad and Signal

110 tonnes seized in Antwerp - new record. Europe surpasses US as cocaine market

110 tonnes seized in Antwerp - all-time record. Port installs new scanners

Escape plan "BIOS" uncovered - Navy Seals-caliber commandos, drones, 1500L oil on roads

Plan "C" (codeword "Mega Mindy") exposed - kidnapping 4 EBI staff members

Convictions begin rolling in - drugs, violence, money laundering, corruption

105 ATM attacks in North Rhine-Westphalia in first half of 2022 alone - double the previous year

Additional years added to Adaoui's sentence for ordering assassinations from prison using smuggled phones

81 violent drug incidents recorded - double compared to 2021. 110 tonnes cocaine seized at port

During Youssef's trial, his lawyer states Weski was also involved in message exchange - her name surfaces publicly

Convicted to 12 years (Cherokee). 5,700 kg attributed. In absentia

Port of Rotterdam installs AI scanners; EncroChat evidence leads to 100+ arrests

Multiple uithalers arrested; AI scanning deployed in Rotterdam

Seizures of hashish-carrying speedboats in Strait of Gibraltar increase 40%

Jaouad arrested in Morocco, convicted to 6 years

EUR 225 million in criminal assets seized from Sky ECC cases

Record 116+ tonnes cocaine seized. Mayor De Wever claims EUR 20 billion in drug money flows through Antwerp

Youssef Taghi convicted to 5.5 years in prison for message smuggling

Convicted to 6 years in Belgium. In absentia

Weski sells her law firm to son Guy Weski and formally retires from legal practice

Inez Weski arrested on charges of participating in Taghi's criminal organization

Weski held at secret underground location at Kamp Zeist (Soesterberg air base) for 9 days - later ruled illegal

Weski released from detention

Franc Copja extradited from Dubai to Belgium to face murder charges

Marengo verdict - life sentences for Taghi and associates

Belgium deploys military to guard Antwerp port perimeter

1,200+ people convicted - 3,684 years of prison sentences total

Belgium deploys military around port perimeter. Explosions continue in Borgerhout and Deurne

WODC publishes National Risk Assessment: underground banking and hawala labeled the single greatest money laundering and terrorism financing risk in the Netherlands. Government acknowledges no adequate policy tools exist

Hajdar Copja detained in Dubai under Operation Surnames at request of Albanian authorities

Verdict: Taghi sentenced to life imprisonment

Marengo verdict - Ridouan Taghi sentenced to life imprisonment

Ridouan Taghi convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in Marengo trial

Arrested near Isparta, Turkey. EUR 4 million bribe refused

Armed men disguised as police officers intercept a container with 1,400 kg of cocaine at the Port of Antwerp. The load is transported to a warehouse in Oud-Gastel, West Brabant.

Belgian police raid Abdelhakim E.M.'s home in Borgerhout, Antwerp. They find police uniforms and tactical equipment. Three suspects arrested: Abdelhakim, Dave D.R., and Hassan.

A bomb explodes at Abdelhakim E.M.'s residence in Borgerhout - retaliation from rivals who lost millions in the theft.

Retaliation begins. A home on Chicagostraat in The Hague is set on fire - the first in a wave of attacks linked to the cocaine theft.

Three explosions hit Rotterdam in one night. "Death to thieves" sprayed on walls at attack sites. A second explosion strikes Chicagostraat in The Hague.

Violence peaks. An employee is abducted at gunpoint. Automatic weapons fired at a home in Alphen aan den Rijn near a school. A police surveillance van is bombed in Ypenburg, The Hague. Second cocaine theft occurs in Ter Aar.

Bomb detonates at Visscherspad in Rijnsaterwoude. Five suspects arrested including a broker.

Bomb explodes on Lombokstraat in Leiden. Further explosions hit Chicagostraat again. Man from Den Helder and man from Wateringen arrested.

New explosions in Rijswijk on November 10 and 11. The violence wave continues for over six weeks after the original theft.

Geert-Jan and Carry Knoops appointed as Weski's defense lawyers

Criminals "reinventing" with new encrypted channels - prosecutors warn of "other tunnels"

Record 166 uithalers arrested in first half - half from the Netherlands. Youngest arrested: 13 years old

First public hearing in Rotterdam - prosecution states evidence "present in ample measure" including 8,000+ encrypted messages

Public Prosecution Service officially confirms that dozens of bombings, shootings, and arsons are directly linked to the 1,400 kg cocaine ripdeal. Five key Dutch suspects arrested. Approximately 30 suspects total in the investigation.

Justice Inspectorate concludes Weski's secret detention at Kamp Zeist was illegal - violated Dutch and international law

Cherokee appeal scheduled. Key question: leader or coordinator?

Franc Copja sentenced to 25 years in Belgium. Qosja and Mecja receive life sentences for Spahiu murder

Reports emerge that Ismail M. gave crucial testimony in Morocco implicating Jaouad F. as ordering the Peter R. de Vries murder

Rotterdam court rejects defense request for additional detention investigation - clears way for substantive trial

Substantive trial begins in extra-secured courtroom in Rotterdam