Europol - Newsroom

1. EUR 2.7 million seized in European operation against money laundering and cash smuggling

   The operation resulted in over 500 cash movement checks and the subsequent detection of illicit cash flows of almost EUR 2.7 million in cash. This amount is likely to increase in the upcoming months as many discoveries are currently being prosecuted. In addition to cash, authorities also seized valuable items such as gold and jewellery, including 18 gold bars with...

2. 30 tonnes of illegally-fished, contaminated molluscs seized ahead of Christmas

   The 17 action days also resulted in the seizure of 30 tonnes of molluscs and 6 tonnes of glass eels worth up to EUR 10 million on the seafood market. Six of the suspects are considered High Value Targets by authorities. Molluscs linked to risk of hepatitis The criminal gangs mainly fished Japanese clams, which are enjoyed by locals and...

3. Europol analysis reveals how criminal networks exploit legal businesses to strengthen their grip on the economy

   The key findings of today’s report cover the following areas:The types of businesses prone to abuseOrganised crime activities enabled by legal businessesMethods used by criminals to exploit these structuresA critical enabler of organised crimeThe report identifies the abuse of legal businesses as a key enabler of organised crime. Legal business structures are integral to laundering criminal proceeds, distorting economic competition,...

4. 9 drug traffickers arrested and EUR 27 million in cryptocurrencies seized

   Paper trail on euro banknotesIn 2021, cash was seized during a house search in connection with an investigation into cocaine trafficking. Some of the five-euro notes had handwritten inscriptions that provided information on who was coordinating and facilitating the financial aspect of the drug trafficking.The Spanish Guardia Civil submitted this information to Europol, which cross-checked it against the data gathered...

5. Latvian authorities dismantle massive illegal cigarette factory

   Searches were conducted simultaneously at multiple locations. The State Police carried out 26 searches in Riga, discovering warehouses containing cigarettes and detaining 7 individuals, including 6 Latvian and 1 Russian national. Meanwhile, the State Border Guard carried out 8 searches in Ludza, Rēzekne and Daugavpils, detaining 25 Ukrainian nationals at the Ludza factory, where counterfeit cigarettes were being manufactured under...