Authorities in Spain, Norway, Poland, and the UK made 39 arrests on 24 June following the seizure of cocaine worth an estimated EUR 45 million from a vessel at sea in 2023. The crew of 8 people was also apprehended. Further searches in Bulgaria, Colombia, Norway, Panama, Portugal, Spain, and Trinidad and Tobago led to a total of 50 arrests in subsequent weeks.
Europol has been supporting this investigation since August 2023. An interception in international waters off Martinique in December 2023 resulted in the capture of 1,500 kilos of cocaine and the arrest of 8 individuals. This operation led to actionable intelligence regarding the drug trafficking activities of the organized crime group, prompting investigations in 10 countries.
The international crackdown was led by the Spanish National Police in collaboration with agencies from Norway, the UK, and the US DEA through an Europol Operational Taskforce. The operation targeted a drug trafficking organization with links to the Western Balkans, identified 10 vessels used by the group along ‘drug routes,’ and traced their operations between South America and Europe.
Europol’s continuous intelligence support and funding of operational activities were crucial in coordinating the successful international cooperation against drug trafficking.
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