Europol and Brazilian law enforcement will enjoy greater cooperation under a new deal signed by the European Union (EU) and Brazil, announced on Thursday.
From now, the two will exchange operational information to bolster joint efforts in tackling serious organised crime and terrorism, reinforcing security on both sides of the Atlantic.
The agreement was signed today by Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, and the Minister of Justice and Public Security of Brazil, Ricardo Lewandowski, in the presence of Europol’s Executive Director, Catherine De Bolle.
De Bolle welcomed the new chapter in their "trusted" relationship. "By strengthening our operational cooperation, we are enhancing our ability to tackle the most pressing security threats together. Europol remains committed to working hand in hand with the Brazilian authorities to combat serious and organised crime," the chief of Europol stated.
Brazil has been a key partner for Europol since 2017. It has a strong record of operational cooperation across various crime areas, including drug trafficking, cybercrime and human trafficking. This agreement is hoped to help disrupt criminal networks and combat transnational crime more effectively.
Some of the recent operations Brazil has been involved include the dismantling of a cocaine cartel profiting from multi-tonne cocaine trafficking from South America to all of the EU in June 2024.
The operation included Belgium, and led to 40 arrests in Brazil, Croatia, Germany, Serbia, Spain and Turkey. Around 8 tonnes of cocaine were seized in Belgium, Netherlands and Spain, and assets were seized, including $3 million in Brazil.
In 2023, a total of 16 suspects were arrested in a major international operation against an organised crime group trafficking cocaine between Brazil and Europe. The gang’s ringleader, a Serbian national residing in Brazil, featured among those arrested.
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