Europol and international law enforcement agencies dismantled a drug trafficking ring using cryptocurrency, seizing $26 million in crypto and arresting nine suspects in a coordinated operation spanning six countries. The investigation, initiated by a Spanish cocaine trafficking case, uncovered a complex network of "underground bankers" laundering illicit funds, primarily controlled from the Dubai and the UAE.
Tag: Europol
Greek authorities, in collaboration with Europol, have arrested two men—a 46-year-old Algerian and a 44-year-old Syrian—in connection with the forgery and trafficking of travel documents. The Algerian suspect was apprehended in Kolonos, Athens, with nine forged documents, while the Syrian was detained at Athens International Airport carrying 22 questionable travel documents. Both face legal proceedings as police crack down on document-related crimes.
The Hellenic Police have successfully dismantled a major international drug trafficking network led by Albanian leaders, responsible for distributing large quantities of cannabis and cocaine across Europe. The network was also connected to incidents of fan violence and utilized encrypted messaging applications, leading to a cooperative investigation with European authorities.
Dutch and French authorities dismantled the sophisticated encrypted messaging service "Matrix" used by suspected criminals, intercepting 2.3 million messages and leading to arrests in France, Spain, and Lithuania. The investigation began after the service was discovered on the phone of a suspect in the Peter R. de Vries murder case.
A French national wanted in Luxembourg for a €5.4 million investment fraud has been arrested in Athens. Philippe Stanislas Antoine Wasila, 57, was apprehended on Monday, thanks to a joint operation between Luxembourg and Greek authorities. He allegedly lured victims into investing in a fictitious autonomous drone development project.
A Greek police officer has been arrested for allegedly aiding an international cocaine trafficking ring by leaking confidential information and helping conceal their activities. Two other suspects are in custody, and two additional officers are under investigation.
In a landmark operation spanning multiple countries, Italian police dismantled a major illegal streaming network serving over 22 million users across Europe. Dubbed "Operation Takendown," the crackdown, which involved international collaboration with Europol and Eurojust, resulted in the seizure of more than 2,500 illegal channels and servers, disrupting a piracy operation generating €250 million monthly. This operation marks a significant victory in the battle against audio-visual piracy and demonstrates the increasing importance of cyber security in law enforcement efforts.
A minor in Cyprus has been identified as the sender of fake bomb threat emails targeting Greek airports on January 7, 2024. Through international collaboration involving Europol and Eurojust, authorities traced the emails to the minor, seizing electronic devices during a search of their home. Charges have been filed against the minor for threatening a terrorist act, and the parents face charges for neglecting supervision.
Authorities across Europe have dismantled a major criminal network involved in tobacco trafficking, with three Greek members arrested during coordinated raids in Thessaloniki and Attica. The operation, led by Europol and Eurojust, targeted gang members across several EU countries, with the suspected ringleader—a Greek citizen—operating from a neighboring country. Police seized evidence including cellphones and handwritten notes, advancing the investigation into the illegal trade.
An Australian man has been arrested for allegedly creating and operating an encrypted messaging app called "Ghost," used by criminal gangs to coordinate serious crimes like murder plots, kidnappings, and drug trafficking. The arrest follows a years-long international investigation led by Australian and European authorities.
In Athens, Spain's opposition leader Alberto Nuñez Feijóo praised Greece's "fair, austere, and humanitarian" migration policies, contrasting them with Spain's "non-existent" approach. He called for a unified EU migration policy, increased border security, and new agreements with migrant origin and transit countries.
Operation Pandora VIII, a collaborative initiative led by the Spanish Guardia Civil and supported by INTERPOL and Europol, resulted in 85 arrests and the recovery of over 6,400 cultural items, showcasing the global effort to combat international art trafficking through coordinated inspections and investigations across 25 countries.
Greek police arrested an alleged crime boss wanted by Russia, known as a "vor v zakone," in central Athens.
Europol announced today the successful completion of "Endgame," the largest ever international operation targeting malware,…
Europol today supported an action day in Italy to successfully dismantle a Turkish criminal organisation…
Italian authorities have intercepted Greek-owned ship, 'Atlas', a vessel owned by Laskaridis Shipping, laden with…
The European Union has unveiled a new migration and asylum pact that aims to strengthen border security while upholding humanitarian values. However, the pact has drawn mixed reactions from experts and human rights groups.
Today, Europol has unveiled a comprehensive mapping of 821 of Europe's "most threatening" criminal networks,…
The Aliens Division of Attica within the Hellenic Police (Ellinikí Astynomía), supported by Europol, targeted…
Greek police, with crucial assistance from Europol and partner agencies, have successfully dismantled a criminal…