A criminal group active across Europe was dismantled in an operation spanning five countries, including Belgium, according to a statement by the European Judicial Agency, Eurojust, on Tuesday. 13 suspects were arrested during the operation.
Investigations, initiated in 2021 by Italian authorities, showed that the crime syndicate was involved in cannabis and cocaine trafficking across several European countries.
The Italian authorities employed Eurojust services to ensure the organisation could not evade justice, facilitating investigations in other countries and conducting raids and seizures.
Drugs were supplied by organisation members in Spain before being transported across Europe by couriers, hidden within trucks owned by the group. Other members, based in Italy, Belgium, Germany, Spain, and Ukraine, would then distribute the narcotics in local markets.
The raids in Belgium were carried out by the Mons' Federal Police and Federal Public Prosecutor. The operation also saw raids in Italy, Germany, Ukraine and with the support of Eurojust and Europol, resulted in the arrests of 13 suspects. During the searches, several electronic devices, drugs, and cash were seized.
Drug trafficking remains one of the most significant threats to safety across Europe, as reiterated by Eurojust in their statement.
An Europol report highlights 50% of the most threatening criminal networks currently active in the EU are involved in drug trafficking, and 50% of all homicides within the continent are directly linked to the drug trade.
