09

Jan

34 arrests in Spain during action against the ‘Black Axe’ criminal organisation

The Spanish National Police (Policía Nacional), in close cooperation with the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office (Bayerisches Landeskriminalamt) and with the support of Europol, has conducted an operation against the…

Read More Here

10

Dec

New fugitives added to revamped EU Most Wanted website

The EU Most Wanted website has been revamped, with a new visual identity and enhanced functionality making it easier than ever for the public to help bring dangerous fugitives to…

Read More Here

04

Dec

Maltese police join international crackdown on €700 million crypto-fraud network

The final actions in a sweeping international operation have successfully dismantled a large-scale cryptocurrency fraud and money laundering network that had laundered over EUR 700 million. Coordinated across multiple jurisdictions,…

Read More Here

28

Nov

Europol aided France, Spain, Italy, and Romania disrupt human trafficking organized crime networks

In two joint operations conducted this month, Europol supported France and Spain as well as Italy and Romania in disrupting large-scale organised crime groups involved in human trafficking and sexual…

Read More Here

27

Nov

16.6 million packages of fake and harmful toys taken off EU markets

Fake toys are poisoning, deafening and injuring children across Europe, while causing major losses to the EU economy. 26 countries, coordinated by Europol, co-led by France, Spain and Romania, and…

Read More Here

06

Nov

Europe-Wide Operation Targets Labour Exploitation, 54 Arrests

Authorities across Europe have carried out a coordinated operation to tackle labour exploitation, resulting in 54 arrests and the identification of 404 potential victims of human trafficking. The action, led…

Read More Here

27

Oct

Europol urges action against caller ID spoofing

Europol is calling for a coordinated European response to tackle caller ID spoofing, an increasingly common tool, used for online fraud and social engineering scams. Caller ID spoofing occurs when…

Read More Here

08

Oct

Luxury hybrid car thieves taken down in Belgium, Italy and Spain

A highly specialised organised crime network responsible for the theft of more than 100 luxury hybrid cars has been dismantled in an international operation led by the Italian Carabinieri with…

Read More Here

19

Sep

New routes and concealment methods identified in cocaine crackdowns in Spain

Europol supported Portuguese and Spanish authorities in two major investigations against cocaine trafficking involving law enforcement on both sides of the Atlantic. These operations exemplified a shifting landscape of global…

Read More Here

04

Sep

Arrests in crackdown on human trafficking network active across continents

Europol coordinated a joint action day between the Brazilian Federal Police (Polícia Federal) and the Irish National Police and Security Service (An Garda Síochána) against a criminal network involved in…

Read More Here

20

Aug

Millions in Forged Banknotes Confiscated in Global Operation

Europol has supported a joint law enforcement operation that disrupted the distribution of counterfeit currency through postal services. The action resulted in the interception of nearly one million items, including…

Read More Here

12

Aug

Internationally active Albanian organised crime network busted

A series of raids performed 7 to 8 August 2025 in Albania saw the arrest of 10 suspected members of an Albanian organised crime network engaged in multi-tonne cocaine trafficking…

Read More Here

24

Jul

Europol-Backed Crackdown Halts Cross-Border ATM Scam

A highly organised criminal group involved in large-scale fraud in Western Europe has been dismantled in a coordinated operation led by authorities from Romania and the United Kingdom (UK), supported…

Read More Here

11

Jul

158 human traffickers arrested and 1,194 victims safeguarded in global operation

A major operation against human trafficking has resulted in the safeguarding of 1 ,194 potential victims and the arrest of 158 suspects. As part of ongoing investigations, an additional 205…

Read More Here

09

Jul

‘Ndrangheta associates arrested for drug trafficking and violence

Europol has supported Italian law enforcement in dealing a heavy blow to the ‘Ndrangheta criminal organisation. In an action day conducted on 8 July 2025 across Italy, Spain and Albania,…

Read More Here

19

Jun

Spanish operation against migrant smuggling and drug trafficking across the Mediterranean

Europol has supported Spanish authorities (Policía Nacional) in a transnational operation against a highly-organised network involved in both migrant smuggling and drug trafficking between Spain and Morocco. Authorities believe the…

Read More Here

12

Jun

Drug route from Costa Rica to Europe dismantled

n international operation coordinated on the European side by Europol has dismantled a transnational criminal organisation trafficking large quantities of cocaine from Costa Rica to Europe via Spain and Portugal.…

Read More Here

05

Jun

Bulgarian authorities arrest 18 for smuggling migrants across its southern border

A criminal network smuggling mainly Syrian migrants from Türkiye to Western Europe has been taken down following a coordinated action led by the Bulgarian authorities and supported by Europol. On…

Read More Here

23

May

Global dark web crackdown targeting online drug and criminal networks

A global law enforcement operation coordinated by Europol has struck a major blow to the criminal underground, with 270 arrests of dark web vendors and buyers across ten countries. Known…

Read More Here

22

May

Europol and Microsoft disrupt world’s largest infostealer Lumma

Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre has worked with Microsoft to disrupt Lumma Stealer (“Lumma”), the world’s most significant infostealer threat. This joint operation targeted the sophisticated ecosystem that allowed criminals to…

Read More Here

03

Apr

Global crackdown on Kidflix, a major child sexual exploitation platform with almost two million users

Kidflix, one of the largest paedophile platforms in the world, has been shut down in an international operation against child sexual exploitation. The investigation was supported by Europol and led…

Read More Here

27

Mar

Latest study on Europe’s ecstasy market reveals new trends in production and trafficking

Criminal groups in Europe are adapting and expanding MDMA production, refining trafficking methods and extending their reach to new countries and regions. These are among the issues explored in a…

Read More Here

18

Mar

The DNA of organised crime is changing – and so is the threat to Europe

Europol’s EU Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment (EU-SOCTA) 2025, published today, reveals how the very DNA of crime is shifting – reshaping the tactics, tools and structures employed by…

Read More Here

14

Mar

Large cocaine bust in Ecuador: 36 arrested after 73 tonnes of drugs seized

A large-scale drug trafficking investigation, supported by Europol, led to the dismantling of an Ecuadorian criminal cell involved in supplying wholesale cocaine to the EU via major ports. The international…

Read More Here

19

Feb

14 arrested in hit against money laundering gang in Portugal and Spain

Europol has supported a cross-border operation led by Spanish authorities and involving law enforcement from Portugal against the members of a criminal network, mainly Russian nationals, who provided money-laundering services…

Read More Here

31

Jan

Europe faces growing threat of fake drugs, Europol warns

The illicit trade of fake medicines is a “growing threat” in Europe, EU’s law enforcement agency warned. There is a rise in the trade of either sub-standard, falsely labelled or…

Read More Here

24

Jan

6 tonnes of cocaine and EUR 6 million seized in large drug sting involving Bulgaria, Colombia, Costa Rica and Panama

The Spanish Civil Guard (Guardia Civil), supported by Europol, has dismantled a large-scale drug trafficking network in an investigation involving Bulgaria, Colombia, Costa Rica and Panama. The suspects were allegedly…

Read More Here

23

Jan

Violent human traffickers halted in Germany and Hungary

The German Criminal Inspectorate (Karlsruhe Kriminalinspektion) and the Hungarian National Bureau of Investigation THB Unit (Nemzeti Nyomozó Iroda Emberkereskedelem Elleni Osztály), supported by Europol, have dismantled a criminal network involved…

Read More Here

09

Dec

24 new fugitives added to the EU Most Wanted website

New profiles of murderers and criminals wanted for serious crimes have been added to the EU Most Wanted website. These individuals have blood on their hands – they have caused…

Read More Here

29

Nov

France arrests 26 for smuggling migrants from Indian sub-continent

A French-led investigation, supported by Europol, has resulted in the dismantling of a large criminal network comprising several small criminal groups involved in migrant smuggling and money laundering. The extensive…

Read More Here

28

Nov

Heroin kingpin arrested after 703 kilos of heroin found in soap shipment

An international law enforcement operation supported by Europol has led to the arrest of a suspected heroin trafficker running a criminal network stretching from Iran to Western Europe. The investigation…

Read More Here

27

Nov

Violent Albanian criminal group linked to corruption disrupted with the support of Europol

On 25 November, Albanian authorities, with the support of Europol, took enforcement actions against 21 individuals, including a former judge, a lawyer a police officer, and two investigative journalists as…

Read More Here

12

Nov

Europol warns of organised crime networks recruiting minors for criminal acts

Europol has today issued an intelligence notification on the recruitment of minors by criminal networks across Europe. Developed using information contributed to Europol from law enforcement authorities, the notification exposes…

Read More Here

28

Oct

Over EUR 14 million in counterfeit currency seized in operation targeting postal shipments

Law enforcement agencies from 18 countries have seized over EUR 14 million in counterfeit currency in Operation DECOY, a Europol-coordinated action led by Spain, Portugal, and Austria. This joint customs…

Read More Here

26

Oct

The dark side of fake goods

As consumers prepare for year-end festivities, many are looking for great deals. But a new report from Europol and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) is warning that scammers…

Read More Here

18

Sep

‘Ghost’ cybercrime platform dismantled in global operation, 51 arrested

An international law enforcement operation has dismantled an encrypted communication platform, known as Ghost, notorious for enabling large-scale drug trafficking and money laundering, Europol said on Wednesday. The investigation led…

Read More Here

20

Aug

UPDATED: Forger linked to 11 mln euros of fake notes arrested in Italy

A forger suspected of printing 11 million euros' ($12 million) worth of fake bank notes was arrested in the Italian city of Naples last week, European police body Europol said.…

Read More Here

02

Aug

Coordinated crackdown on high-profile Albanian criminal network

The Albanian authorities, in cooperation with Europol and Belgian, Dutch and French law enforcement, have successfully concluded a major operation, arresting 15 suspected members of a notorious Albanian organised crime…

Read More Here

19

Jul

Malta participates in operation against international art trafficking leading to 85 arrests

The eighth edition of an operation against international art trafficking, codenamed ‘Pandora’, saw the involvement of customs and law enforcement authorities from 25 countries including Malta. Led by Spain (Guardia…

Read More Here

18

Jul

Europol reports on migrant smuggling, human trafficking challenges and digital adaptation.

The new report by Europol’s European Migrant Smuggling Centre (EMSC) looks into the latest developments and main threats in migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings, based on the most…

Read More Here

11

Jun

Italian Authorities Dismantle Sophisticated Counterfeit Banknote Print Shop

On an action day conducted on 10 June 2024 in Lecce, the Italian Carabinieri arrested a money counterfeiter and dismantled a sophisticated counterfeiting print shop. The raid, which resulted in…

Read More Here

30

May

International police operation takes down one of world’s biggest botnets

Between 27 and 29 May 2024 Operation Endgame, coordinated from Europol’s headquarters, targeted droppers including, IcedID, SystemBC, Pikabot, Smokeloader, Bumblebee and Trickbot. The actions focused on disrupting criminal services through…

Read More Here

18

Apr

International police operation, including Malta’s, bust global cyber gang accused of industrial-scale fraud

Law enforcement from 19 countries, including Malta, severely disrupted one of the world’s largest phishing-as-a-service platform, known as LabHost. This year-long operation, coordinated at the international level by Europol, resulted…

Read More Here

05

Apr

Europol identifies major criminal groups that pose a threat to EU’s internal security

The European Union's law enforcement agency Europol on Friday published an analysis of 821 criminal groups that it says pose a major threat to the bloc's internal security. The Hague-based…

Read More Here

09

Mar

Almost 5,000 false identity documents seized in Greece

The Aliens Division of Attica within the Hellenic Police (Ellinikí Astynomía), supported by Europol, targeted a criminal network involved in document fraud and migrant smuggling activities. The criminal network, based…

Read More Here

09

Mar

Malta among countries who participated in Europewide police operation against depictions of child sexual abuse

Malta was one of the countries that participated in a Europol coordinated operation child sexual abuse that led to the arrest of over 50 people. The foundation of the operation…

Read More Here

23

Feb

Coordinated European police action against one of the largest networks smuggling migrants across the English Channel

A large-scale operation involving law enforcement and judicial authorities from Belgium, France and Germany, coordinated by Europol and Eurojust, led to the dismantling of one of the most active networks…

Read More Here

21

Feb

Arrests in France, Germany, Italy, Latvia and Malta in anti-money laundering operation

National authorities in France, Germany, Italy, Latvia and Malta have carried out over 100 searches in a large-scale operation against a Russian-Eurasian criminal network and a Maltese-based financial institution allegedly…

Read More Here

21

Feb

Lockbit cybercrime gang faces global takedown with indictments and arrests

An international law enforcement operation led by Britain's National Crime Agency and the FBI has arrested and indicted members of the Lockbit ransomware gang, in an unprecedented police operation that…

Read More Here

16

Feb

Properties worth EUR 48 million frozen after cocaine sweep in Ecuador and Spain

A Spanish-led investigation involving Ecuador and supported by Europol, resulted in a major hit on a high-risk drug trafficking network supplying cocaine to the EU. To support the field activities…

Read More Here

26

Jan

Malta participates in intercontinental crackdown against Nigerian crime syndicates

Europol on Friday revealed that between 7 and 9 December 2023, Europol coordinated a massive international operation targeting Nigerian criminal networks active in the EU and abroad. 16 partners from…

Read More Here

21

Dec

Europe-wide police operation against criminal network behind shock calls terrifying elderly across Europe

In a coordinated action which ran between 27 November and 8 December, law enforcement and judicial authorities from five countries joined forces to take down a criminal network suspected of…

Read More Here

16

Dec

EU Most Wanted drug trafficker arrested in Bosnia

Law enforcement authorities from Bosnia and Herzegovina, supported by Europol, have arrested a fugitive featured on the EU Most Wanted list. The suspect, who held nationalities from Bosnia and Herzegovina…

Read More Here

04

Dec

Europol’s Operation OPSON breaks up a counterfeit olive oil ring

In the framework of Operation OPSON, Europol’s coordinated effort to combat food fraud and counterfeiting, Europol has supported a spin-off investigation into counterfeit olive oil. The operation was initiated by…

Read More Here

01

Jul

Joint European police operation dismantles international phone scam network

Law enforcement from Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom, supported by Europol, have tracked down and arrested the head of a criminal network responsible for defrauding hundreds of elderly citizens.…

Read More Here

27

Jun

Encrypted phone service ‘Encrochat’ shutdown leads to 6,500 arrests – Europol

European policing agency Europol said on Tuesday that the takedown of Encrochat, an underground company that offered criminals supposedly secure encrypted communications, led to more than 6,500 arrests and 900…

Read More Here

05

May

Roman marble bust among 11,000 stolen artefacts recovered in European crackdown

AMSTERDAM  (Reuters) - A crackdown on international art trafficking has recovered 11,049 stolen artefacts, including ancient coins and books and a marble bust believed to represent the niece of a…

Read More Here