credit: europol.europa.eu /  The drug trafficking network was responsible for the annual importation of at least 45 tonnes of cocaine into the main European seaports, with profits exceeding €100 million over the course of 6 months.

DIPLOMATIC TIMES  STAFF  REPORT

More than 40 arrests were made last Friday in coordinated raids with the support of Europol against members of a highly professional criminal drug syndicate.  The drug trafficking network was  responsible for the annual importation of at least 45 tonnes of cocaine from Brazil into the main European seaports, with profits exceeding €100 million over the course of 6 months, according to EUROPOL.  In the early hours of the morning November 27, more than  a thousand police officers with the support of Europol carried out coordinated raids in which some 180 house searches were executed, resulting in the arrest of 45 suspects.  This international sting, led by the Portuguese, Belgian and Brazilian authorities, was carried out simultaneously by agencies from three different continents, with coordination efforts facilitated by Europol.

• Europe:    Portuguese Judicial Police (Polícia Judiciária), Belgian Federal Judicial Police (Federale Gerechtelijke Politie, Police Judiciaire Fédérale), Spanish National Police (Policia Nacional), Dutch Police (Politie) and the Romanian Police (Poliția Română)
• South America: Brazilian Federal Police (Policia Federal)
• Middle East: Dubai Police Force and Dubai State Security

• 70 luxury vehicles seized in Brazil, Belgium and Spain and 37 aircrafts seized in Brazil
• 163 houses seized in Brazil worth in excess of R$132 million, 2 houses seized in Spain worth €4 million, and two apartments seized in Portugal worth €2.5 million
• Financial assets of 10 individuals frozen in Spain

Commenting on this operation, Europol’s Deputy Director Wil van Gemert said:

 “This operation highlights the complex structure and vast reach of Brazilian organised crime groups in Europe. The scale of the challenge faced today by police worldwide calls for a coordinated approach to tackle the drug trade across continents. The commitment of our partner countries to work via Europol underpinned the success of this operation and serves as a continued global call to action.”

 More than  1,000 Police Officers Assisted By Europol Made 45 Arrests 

credit: europol.europa.eu /  This international sting, led by the Portuguese, Belgian and Brazilian authorities, was carried out simultaneously by agencies from three different continents, with coordination efforts facilitated by Europol.

Large  Global Drug Operation Importing Cocaine Into Europe 

credit: europol.europa.eu /  This international sting, led by the Portuguese, Belgian and Brazilian authorities, was carried out simultaneously by agencies from three different continents, with coordination efforts facilitated by Europol.

In the framework of intelligence activities underway with its operational counterparts, Europol developed reliable intelligence concerning the international drug trafficking and money laundering activities of a Brazilian organised crime network operating in several EU countries.   The criminal syndicate had direct contact with drug cartels in Brazil and other South American source countries who were responsible for the preparation and the shipments of cocaine in maritime containers bound to major European seaports.

The scale of cocaine importation from Brazil to Europe under their control and command is massive and over 52 tonnes of cocaine were seized by law enforcement over the course of the investigation.

In April 2020, Europol brought together the involved countries who have since been working closely together to establish a joint strategy to bring down the whole network. The main targets were identified on either sides of the Atlantic Ocean, with the support of Operation EMMA 95/ LEMONT 26, the French and Dutch-led investigation against the Encrochat network.  

credit: europol.europa.eu /  The drug trafficking network was responsible for the annual importation of at least 45 tonnes of cocaine into the main European seaports, with profits exceeding €100 million over the course of 6 months.

Headquartered in The Hague, the Netherlands,   EUROPEL supports the 27 EU Member States in their fight against terrorism, cybercrime and other serious and organised forms of crime.   Europol also works with many non-EU partner states and international organisations.  From its various threat assessments to its intelligence-gathering and operational activities, Europol has tools and resources it needs to do its part in making Europe safer, according  to Europol.