2022 was a year marked by sudden, unexpected events, from continuing to deal with the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic to geopolitical and economic turmoil. As the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation, Europol supports EU Member States in preventing and combating all forms of serious international and organised crime, cybercrime and terrorism. Of the […]
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Eurojust enables hearing in judicial investigation of Qatar-based owner of Málaga football club
Eurojust has enabled the formal hearing of the Qatar-based owner of the professional football club Málaga CF and three of his sons, as part of a Spanish judicial investigation. The Agency proved to be the essential link to set up contacts between the authorities in Spain and Qatar, exchange rogatory letters and organise a video […]
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32 arrests in series of actions against the Italian mafia in Spain
Last week, 32 suspects tied to the Italian ‘Ndrangheta were arrested in Spain for their involvement in large-scale drug trafficking and money laundering. This operation was enabled by the deployment of some 500 law enforcement officers on the ground, including special intervention teams, canine units, helicopters and drones. This sting follows a complex investigation initiated […]
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One of Europe’s biggest money launderers arrested in Spain
Linked to the Kinahan clan, the suspect is believed to have laundered EUR 200 million in just over one year One of Europe’s biggest money launderers was arrested on 12 September in Malaga, Spain, as a result of an international law enforcement operation led by the Spanish Guardia Civil. Two of his associates were also […]
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Spanish authorities break into narco bank
A massive international organised crime ring has been broken up in a joint operation between the Spanish Civil Guard (Guardia Civil) and the German Criminal Bureau (Landeskriminalamt) of Hamburg. The disrupted criminal network provided financial services to various criminal organisations mainly linked to drug trafficking. During an action day in May 2022, law enforcement conducted […]
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Production of fake pesticides on the rise in the EU
Operation Silver Axe VII, coordinated by Europol, took place between 25 January and 25 April 2022 and involved law enforcement authorities from 31 countries (25 EU Member States and six third party countries). The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), the European Commission’s DG SANTE, CropLife Europe and CropLife International […]
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Eurojust helps return to Italy a painting by Artemisia Gentileschi worth more than 2 million euros
A historic 17th century painting by the Italian baroque painter Artemisia Gentileschi has been returned to Italy, with the active support of Eurojust. Two suspects are being investigated for fraud and attempts to illegally sell the painting of the legend of Roman Charity in Austria. They obtained an export license for the painting while disguising […]
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Criminal network that smuggled migrants across Europe dismantled
Eurojust has assisted authorities in the Czech Republic, Belgium, Poland, Germany and Hungary in dismantling an organised crime group (OCG) that was involved in migrant smuggling. During an action, nine suspects were arrested and nine locations were searched. Eurojust provided financial support and assisted the authorities in setting up a joint investigation team (JIT). According […]
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New EU Authority for Anti-money laundering: Council agrees its partial position
In order to boost the efficient functioning of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CTF) framework of the Union the EU will create a dedicated Anti-money laundering Authority (AMLA). Today, the Council agreed its partial position on the proposal. Given the cross-border nature of crime, the new Authority is expected to make a […]
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