Europol has supported Spanish authorities (Policía Nacional) in a transnational operation against a highly-organised network involved in both migrant smuggling and drug trafficking between Spain and Morocco. Authorities believe the group smuggled over 200 people and obtained over EUR 2.5 million in profits. The action day led to the following results: 8 arrests, including the […]
MEPs evaluate the security situation in the EU in Barbate and Algeciras.
The EP Petitions Committee delegation, led by its chair Bogdan Rzońca (ECR, Poland), will begin its visit on 26 May in Barbate (Cádiz), where it will meet with petitioners who raised the issue with the committee and the families of the two civil guards killed during an operation to stop a drug boat on 9 […]
Trafficking in the fast lane: French-Spanish drug trafficking ring dismantled
A sophisticated drug trafficking network smuggling large quantities of narcotics between Spain and France has been dismantled following a major law enforcement operation. Operation CABRAS, led by the French Gendarmerie under the supervision of the Specialised Interregional Jurisdiction (JIRS) of Rennes, targeted a criminal syndicate responsible for importing cannabis resin, cocaine, and synthetic drugs into […]
European Commission will adopt EU roadmap to step up fight against drug trafficking and criminal networks
The Commission will adopt an EU Roadmap to step up the fight against drug trafficking and criminal networks, building on the legislative and operational initiatives put forward so far. The drugs trade is one of the most significant security threats faced by the EU today. Seizures of cocaine in the EU are hitting record levels, with 303 tonnes […]
Guardia Civil, with Europol support, arrests 30 people in operation against large-scale drug trafficking network
The Spanish Guardia Civil has dismantled a criminal network engaged in large-scale drug trafficking from South America to Europe. Europol supported the operation against the criminals, who used an elaborate modus operandi to retrieve smuggled cocaine from shipping containers in the Spanish port of Algeciras. The organisation relied on a dedicated front companies to launder […]
19 arrested in Spanish-Swedish raid on drug traffickers supported by Europol
Joint actions of the Spanish National Police (Policia National) and the Swedish National Police (Polisen), supported by Europol, have led to the dismantling of a criminal network transporting drugs via trucks between Spain and Sweden. Swedish authorities initiated the investigation into the network in 2019, after establishing a link between a money laundering case and […]
Europol: European drug super-cartel smashed in six countries
Between 8-19 November, coordinated raids were carried out across Europe and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), targeting both the command-and-control centre and the logistical drugs trafficking infrastructure in Europe. A total of 49 suspects have been arrested during the course of this investigation. The drugpins considered as high-value targets by Europol had come together to […]
Spanish authorities clamp down on lavish lifestyle of criminal group
Spanish authorities have arrested 10 persons suspected of being involved in drug trafficking and money laundering in the second phase of an operation supported by Europol. The Guardia Civil carried out house searches in a number of cities, which led to the disruption of a criminal network providing financial and technical support to other criminal […]
Rise in production of synthetic drugs poses legal challenges for prosecutors
The stark rise in the production of synthetic drugs such as (meth-)amphetamines poses increasing challenges for prosecutors across Europe. By rapidly changing the composition of chemicals used for these drugs – as, for instance, red phosphorus, MAPA and APAA – or creating new substances, producers try to exploit legal gaps and avoid prosecution. Also, due […]