An unprecedented international operation involving the authorities of 11 countries has led to the arrest of 44 suspected members of a criminal network considered one of the most dangerous in the European Union, Europol and Eurojust reported on Friday, November 25. According to them, these include drug trafficking and money laundering.
“Several criminal organizations have worked together to carry out large-scale polycriminal activities inside and outside the EU”
Joint communiqué between European agencies, Europol and Eurojust, based in The Hague.
Europol headquarters in The HagueCocaine, hashish, cannabis and methamphetamine
During the operation, which took place on Tuesday, November 22, coordinated by Europol and Eurojust, about a hundred searches were carried out throughout Europe, both at the heads of these criminal organizations and their accomplices.
The network, which is also believed to be linked to major drug trafficking organizations outside the EU, has been active in Lithuania, Latvia, the Czech Republic, Poland, France, Germany and Slovakia.
“The scale of drug trafficking attributed to this network is enormous and their activities are reported on three continents.”
Joint communiqué between European agencies, Europol and Eurojust, based in The Hague.
Large quantities of cocaine, hashish, marijuana and methamphetamine were seized.
“Very flexible, these criminals quickly adapted to new drug trafficking methods in an attempt to elude law enforcement.”
Joint communiqué between European agencies, Europol and Eurojust, based in The Hague.
In particular, drug shipments were found on ships and trucks well hidden in compartments.
“The criminal network has been structured like a business, with various criminal gangs and intermediaries working together across borders to control the entire drug trafficking chain, from organizing huge drug shipments to distribution throughout Europe and beyond.”
Joint communiqué between European agencies, Europol and Eurojust, based in The Hague.
According to them, cooperation between countries and European agencies allowed the adoption of a common strategy to prepare for the final phase of the investigations and “bring down the entire network.”
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