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In Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands, judicial and law enforcement authorities worked with Eurojust and Europol to dismantle a drug trafficking network that was primarily made up of Albanian citizens. 35 suspects were detained during a joint operation, and 51 locations were searched across the participating nations. In the operation, there were over 600 police officers. A joint investigation team (JIT) was formed and funded by the authorities with assistance from Eurojust.
Large-scale cocaine and cannabis trafficking from South America to Europe and its subsequent distribution throughout the European Union are allegedly the work of the criminal network. The use of violence, such as instances of torture and kidnapping for ransom, is another thing for which they are infamous.
The offenders allegedly benefited from substantial financial resources acquired through prior drug trafficking operations. They had a number of logistical hubs where the drugs and stolen money were kept and where the associates could gather. They also had a sizable fleet of vehicles with sophisticated hidden compartments, as well as cell phones with encryption software for texting.
The investigation shows that between March 2020 and June 2021, the criminal network imported at least 36 tons of marijuana and one ton of cocaine. The distribution market revenue from these substances would have exceeded EUR 1 billion. During the course of the investigation, more than EUR 1 million in cash was also seized.
According to their respective roles, the network's participants split the proceeds of the crime. Certain suspects allegedly used their ownership of a posh restaurant, a bar, and a real estate firm in Germany as a means of money laundering.
In September 2021, at the request of the German authorities, the case was opened at Eurojust. In July 2022, with Eurojust's assistance, a JIT was established between the German and Italian authorities. The Agency held two coordination meetings to promote judicial cooperation and set the stage for the joint action day. To facilitate quick communication between the judicial authorities taking part in the action day, a coordination center was established.
Since the end of 2020, the case has been supported by Europol's Serious Organized Crime Centre, which has communicated with the relevant authorities via more than 250 secure messages. The identification of the main targets and the mapping of their criminal activities around the world were made possible by extensive analytical support. Europol organized a number of operational gatherings, either at its The Hague headquarters or elsewhere. Throughout the action day, two additional Europol agents were also stationed locally in Germany and Italy to assist law enforcement with their investigational efforts. During the action day, Europol also established a secure communication platform to permit the real-time exchange of tactical information among the various involved law enforcement agencies.
The @ON Network, funded by the European Union (Internal Security Funds Project "ISF4@ON") and overseen by the Italian Antimafia Investigation Directorate (DIA), has provided support for the investigation and the organization of the joint action day itself.
Participating in this investigation were the following authorities:.
PPO Frankfurt, PPO Gießen, the Criminal Investigation Office Frankfurt (Department K 62) of the Police Headquarters Frankfurt am Main, the Regional Criminal Investigation Office Friedberg (Narcotics Department / K 34) of the Police Headquarters of Central Hesse, and, supporting the execution of the measures on Action Day, special forces of the Federal State (Bund), the states of Saarland and Hesse, and task forces of the riot police units of Hesse and Rhineland.
Italy: PPO Bologna; Polizia di Stato, Squadra Mobile from Forl and Modena, with operational support from the Central Operational Service (SCO) of the Central Anti-Crime Directorate (DAC).
Netherlands: Landelijk Parket National PPO Team International Cooperation (LIRC - IRC-LE), Dutch National Police, Eenheid Amsterdam, and Landelijke Eenheid.
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