The Belgian government recognizes the urgency of addressing these issues to prevent the country from becoming a 'narco-state,' especially following recent extraditions of notorious traffickers.

While a legal basis for a distinct security regime already exists in Belgium, further legislative work may be necessary to establish specific detention conditions.

Currently, Belgium employs measures like trained dogs for mobile phone detection and anti-drone systems, but the Justice Minister seeks to enhance these security efforts.

Belgian Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden is exploring the implementation of stricter detention regimes for high-risk criminals, especially drug traffickers, to prevent their illicit activities from continuing while incarcerated.

This initiative aims to adopt measures similar to those in other European countries, such as Italy's '41-bis' isolation system and specialized detention wings in the Netherlands and France.

Verlinden plans to analyze international examples to determine their suitability for Belgium and identify appropriate prisons for these tougher regimes.

Concerns over increased violence against prison staff, including threats and a murder linked to traffickers, are prompting discussions about protective measures such as rotating guards managing sensitive inmates.

Belgium is considering adopting international practices, like the Netherlands' policy of detaining serious offenders in separate facilities with limited outside communication and rotating staff, to improve security.

The issue has gained urgency in Belgium, particularly after the extradition of traffickers like Othman El Ballouti from Dubai, highlighting the need for stronger detention measures.

France plans to open a high-security prison in French Guiana by 2028 for serious criminals and terrorists, guarded by a paramilitary unit, serving as a model for tougher detention policies.

Other European countries, including Italy, the Netherlands, and France, have established specialized detention regimes for high-risk drug offenders, emphasizing constant surveillance and limited inmate interaction.

Italy's '41-bis' regime exemplifies strict isolation for severe drug offenders, with continuous monitoring and restricted visitation, serving as a benchmark for Belgium's proposed measures.