Belgium's drug commissioner warns gangs use Airbnb-type rentals as stash houses

Belgium's drug commissioner Ine Van Wymersch says criminal gangs exploit short-term rental platforms like Airbnb as stash houses for drugs, weapons, cash, and people. Belgian police seized 3.3kg of cocaine from an Airbnb apartment in Brussels in early August 2026. Van Wymersch says platforms must become more resilient to abuse. Airbnb calls criminal bookings an "extreme minority."