The European Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation

1. Criminals operating an illegal financial service to launder millions of euros busted

   An international investigation spanning several years has led to the arrest of 23 criminals running a sophisticated money laundering scheme. The group acted as a financial service for other criminals to launder their profits. The scheme facilitated the laundering of approximately EUR 100 million. An international coalition of Spanish, Cypriot and German authorities, with support of the French authorities and Eurojust and Europol, was established to dismantle the group. The takedown resulted in the seizure of over EUR 8 million in cash and the freezing of EUR 27 million in cryptocurrencies.

2. Support to stop severe violence between criminals using explosives in retaliation

   Eurojust has supported the German and Dutch authorities in stopping a series of severe retaliatory attacks between criminals using explosives and firearms to settle scores. A total of 23 suspects have been arrested, including three during an action day this week. Eurojust assisted with the execution of European Arrest Warrants (EAWs) and European Investigation Orders (EIOs) and coordinated the judicial cooperation between the authorities.

3. Mr Branislav Boháčik starts as new National Member for Slovakia at Eurojust

   Mr Branislav Boháčik has started his work as the new National Member for Slovakia at Eurojust. Mr Boháčik has been appointed for a term of five years and succeeds former National Member and Eurojust President Mr Ladislav Hamran, whose mandate ended in November 2024.Before joining Eurojust, he worked as a judicial cybercrime specialist in the international department of the Prosecutor General’s office. In this capacity, Mr Boháčik gained extensive experience in working with the Agency as a Member of the Board of the European Judicial Cybercrime Network (EJCN).

4. European Commissioner McGrath launches collaboration with Eurojust

   As a key player in global criminal justice cooperation, Eurojust works together with the European Commission to keep Europe safe. To mark the start of his mandate, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law Michael McGrath visited Eurojust’s headquarters in The Hague on 16 January. Commissioner McGrath was welcomed by Eurojust President Michael Schmid and the two Vice-Presidents, Ms Margarita Šniutytė-Daugėlienė and Mr José de la Mata Amaya, who presented the various ways the Agency supports authorities across Europe and beyond in their cross-border investigations.

5. Europol and Eurojust launch phase 3 of SIRIUS project to enhance cross-border access to electronic evidence

   Building on six years of successful support to national law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and judicial authorities (JAs) in the field of electronic evidence, Europol and Eurojust launched the third phase of the SIRIUS project in January 2025.