(Credit: europol.europa.eu)  Europol and the European Network of Fugitive Active Search Teams (ENFAST) on Sept. 28, 2022   launched a new EU most wanted campaign in Brussels targeting fugitives across Europe who are members of organised crime groups.

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EUROPOL  and the European Network of Fugitive Active Search Teams (ENFAST) launched a new EU most wanted campaign in Brussels on September 28 targeting fugitives across Europe who are members of organised crime groups. Over fifty profiles of fugitives linked to organised crime groups have been uploaded to the website this year. The criminals in this year’s campaign are all wanted for serious crimes in Europe such as murder, trafficking in human beings, armed robbery and terrorism amongst other offences.  EUROPOL Executive Director Catherine De Bolle unveiled the EU Most Wanted mural in Brussels.  EU citizens can get involved  by visiting the ENFAST website and seeing if they recognise anyone on the Most Wanted list. 

EUROPOL Executive Director Catherine De Bolle (Credit: europol) 

“One simple act can be enough to ensure that a dangerous fugitive criminal is arrested and prosecuted,” said Catherine De Bolle, director of Europol.

EUROPOL / ENFAST  Targeting Organised Crime Groups

This year’s campaign specifically targets the leaders and key members of organised crime groups. Some of the profiles highlighted in this year’s list include mafia bosses who have committed murder and massacred innocent people, drug traffickers, human traffickers, violent criminals who carry out murder or other violent acts on behalf of the criminal group, and money launderers and embezzlers. Similar to a business environment, the core of a criminal network is composed of managerial layers and field operators. This core is surrounded by a range of actors linked to the crime infrastructure providing support services. By targeting criminals in pivotal roles within these networks, the campaign seeks to topple entire organised crime group, according to EUROPOL.

The campaign will also appear across social media and there will be a call to action in all EU languages to reach as wide an audience as possible. 

ENFAST    

The evolving nature of cross-border crime has prompted national police forces in EU Member States to combine forces and use their expertise to ensure that it is impossible for dangerous criminals to flee and escape punishment. ENFAST aims to increase security within the EU by successfully tracing and arresting internationally wanted criminals who have committed serious crimes. ENFAST is an international network of police officers who are available 24/7 and can take immediate action to locate and arrest fugitives when necessary.