Belgian and Dutch police mounted a large-scale traffic operation on the E25 motorway between Voeren (BE) and Eijsden (NL) on 7 November, releasing results on Saturday 8 November. More than 150 officers stopped 400 vehicles and screened 800 travellers in a bid to curb drug tourism, catch drink- and drug-drivers and intercept wanted criminals using the busy Maastricht–Liège corridor.
Five fugitives, including two Liège residents with outstanding prison sentences, were arrested. Nineteen motorists tested positive for narcotics and received immediate 15-day driving bans; 26 others were cited for drug possession. Police also halted a FlixBus carrying Portuguese football fans because of safety violations and confiscated illegal fireworks found on board.
![Cross-Border Road Operation Nets Five Fugitives on E25 Corridor]()
The crackdown temporarily closed the motorway, funnelling all traffic through control points and causing delays of up to 40 minutes. Logistics companies rerouted time-sensitive shipments via the A2 in the Netherlands to avoid queueing.
Belgium’s Limburg prosecutor Frank Bleyen said the joint operation shows “seamless cooperation” ahead of EU-wide plans to step up random controls once the Entry/Exit System (EES) for third-country nationals goes live in 2026. For corporates, the exercise is a reminder that ad-hoc border checks—though allowed under Schengen rules—can disrupt just-in-time deliveries and staff transfers.
Companies running shuttle buses between Dutch distribution centres and Belgian factories are advised to carry complete passenger manifests and ensure drivers have contingency routes programmed.
Five fugitives, including two Liège residents with outstanding prison sentences, were arrested. Nineteen motorists tested positive for narcotics and received immediate 15-day driving bans; 26 others were cited for drug possession. Police also halted a FlixBus carrying Portuguese football fans because of safety violations and confiscated illegal fireworks found on board.
The crackdown temporarily closed the motorway, funnelling all traffic through control points and causing delays of up to 40 minutes. Logistics companies rerouted time-sensitive shipments via the A2 in the Netherlands to avoid queueing.
Belgium’s Limburg prosecutor Frank Bleyen said the joint operation shows “seamless cooperation” ahead of EU-wide plans to step up random controls once the Entry/Exit System (EES) for third-country nationals goes live in 2026. For corporates, the exercise is a reminder that ad-hoc border checks—though allowed under Schengen rules—can disrupt just-in-time deliveries and staff transfers.
Companies running shuttle buses between Dutch distribution centres and Belgian factories are advised to carry complete passenger manifests and ensure drivers have contingency routes programmed.
