Dutch drug lord given early prison release in Belgium

Janus van Wessenbeeck from Eindhoven, known as one of the biggest drug traffickers in the world, was given an early prison release by a court in Belgium last week Thursday.

The 54 year old drug smuggler was imposed a prison sentence of 14 years in 2011 and 2012 for smuggling 15 thousand kilograms of hashish and 600 kilograms of amphetamine, Omroep Brabant reports.

In Belgium, with sentences of more than 4 years, a conditional release may be requested after a third of the sentence has been served. The court this request last week. He has been set out of the country with the condition that he never returns.

The investigation int Van Wessenbeeck began more than 14 years ago when he was arrested after smuggling 865 thousand ecstasy pills - with a street value of nearly 34 million euros - from Zeebrugge to Australia. He was also previously sentenced to 10 years in prison in Belgium for leading a large criminal organization.