Category: Organised crime

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Four arrests and nine companies seized in anti-mafia operation in Italy and Brazil

Source: Eurojust

Eurojust supported this international operation, which hit a notorious mafia organisation. Investigations into the criminal organisation uncovered an elaborate scheme that was laundering money from Italy to Brazil, through several companies. The operation on 7 October led to the arrest of four suspects and the seizure of nine companies in Italy, Hong Kong and Brazil.

The suspects arrested today were involved in the mafia organisation and used extortion, money laundering and the fraudulent transfer of valuables to facilitate important mafia organisations. The main suspect in the scheme set up multiple companies in Brazil using straw men and shell companies. The companies were used to hide the criminal gains of mafia organisations from Italy.

The investigations revealed that other companies active in the property and hospitality sectors in Italy, Hong Kong and Brazil were part of this elaborate money-laundering scheme. During the operation, nine companies were seized, as well as money worth EUR 350 000.

The operation on 7 October is the second action from a joint investigation team (JIT) set up at Eurojust between Italian and Brazilian authorities. The JIT has been investigating the mafia organisation since 2022. The first operation took place on 13 August and led to the arrest of a member of a mafia family and the freezing of assets worth EUR 50 million. 

The Italian and Brazilian authorities have been investigating the activities of the mafia organisation since 2022 through a JIT, set up with the support of Eurojust. Their investigations uncovered the activities of the organisation in Switzerland and Hong Kong.

The following authorities were involved in the actions:

  • Italy: Public Prosecutor’s Office of Palermo – District Antimafia Directorate; Guardia di Finanza – G.I.C.O. (Organized Crime Investigative Group) of Palermo
  • Brazil: Federal Prosecutor’s Office of Rio Grande do Norte
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Eurojust supports major operation against Albanian drug-trafficking ring in Italy: 66 arrests

Source: Eurojust

26 September 2024|

A large-scale cocaine-smuggling ring was dismantled by authorities in Italy, Albania, Poland and Switzerland, coordinated by Eurojust. During an action day, a total of 45 suspects were arrested, most of them in Italy. Prior to the action day, 21 suspects involved in the sale of cocaine in and around the city of Brescia were arrested. In total, 66 arrests were made. The Albanian-led organised crime group (OCG) had been selling cocaine from Latin America for at least four years, mainly in the north of Italy.

Eurojust set up a coordination centre this week to support and coordinate the actions of all authorities involved. During the investigations and the action day, for an estimated amount of EUR 4 million in cash was seized, as well as 360 kilograms of cocaine, luxury vehicles and watches, telecommunications equipment, arms and ammunition.

Investigations into the drug-smuggling network started in 2020 at the request of the Public Prosecutor’s Office (PPO) of Brescia. The OCG used five warehouses and storage centres in and around Brescia to distribute the cocaine.

Credits: Guardia di Finanza di Brecia 

The suspects laundered their illegal profits via an extensive network of enterprises run by an Italian-Chinese organisation set up for this purpose, which supplied fake invoices with a total value of around EUR 375 million. The OCG members will be charged with the trafficking of illicit drugs, money laundering and investment fraud.

During this week’s action day, over 400 officers were deployed across Italy. To assist the authorities on the ground, Eurojust set up a coordination centre at its premises in The Hague and supported the execution of European Arrest Warrants and requests for Mutual Legal Assistance towards Albania and Switzerland. Europol facilitated the exchange of information between the involved countries and provided operational coordination as well as analytical support. On the action day, a Europol analyst with a mobile office was deployed to cross-check information on the spot in Italy.

The operations were carried out at the request of the PPO of Brescia via the following authorities:

  • Italy: PPO Brescia; Anti-Mafia District Directorate of the Guardia di Finanza – Provincial Command of Brescia; Central Investigation Service for Organised Crime (SCICO), Rome; International Police Cooperation Service Liaison Bureau, Tirana
  • Poland: PPO Warsaw; Central Police Bureau of Investigations
  • Albania: Special Prosecution Office against Corruption and Organised Crime (SPAK); Albanian State Police
  • Switzerland: Office of Attorney-General; Federal Police (Fedpol)
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European prosecutors join forces to systemically fight organised criminal groups in new network

Source: Eurojust

An important step in the fight against organised crime has been taken today with the launch of the European Judicial Organised Crime Network (EJOCN), hosted at Eurojust. The complex and fast-evolving nature of major crimes in Europe make strengthening international judicial coordination necessary. The EJOCN will go beyond the investigation-based collaboration and combat organised crime strategically. Dangerous criminal groups active in drug trafficking, money laundering, human trafficking, migrant smuggling, cybercrime and more will now face the full force of specialised prosecutors from all 27 EU Member States.

76 per cent of criminal groups in the EU are active in two to seven countries and profits from all illicit activities are estimated at around EUR 139 billion annually. Dismantling these groups requires a transnational approach that is fast and flexible and that can adapt to an ever-changing criminal landscape. The EJOCN will focus on horizontal issues that arise in the investigation and prosecution of high-risk criminal networks. It will allow prosecutors to tackle recurring legal challenges and identify new, practical opportunities to cooperate.

Over the past 20 years, Eurojust has built up a solid track record in providing operational, technical, logistical and financial support to national prosecutors active in the fight against organised crime. The work of the EJOCN will benefit from Eurojust’s unique operational expertise in setting up joint investigation teams and using other judicial cooperation tools in cross-border criminal investigations.

Eurojust President, Mr Ladislav Hamran, commented on the launch of the network: ‘Today, we step up the fight against organised crime across the European Union. Supported by Eurojust, the European Judicial Organised Crime Network will strengthen coordination among specialist prosecutors and judges throughout the EU and will reinforce our commitment to justice and security for all citizens. Through closer collaboration and by aligning judicial strategies across Member States, we send a clear message: organised crime knows no borders, but neither does our resolve to investigate and prosecute.’

The network was officially launched at Eurojust on 25 September. Prosecutors from all Member States came together in The Hague to discuss the scope, vision and practical functioning of the EJOCN. High-level representatives such as Didier Reynders, EU Commissioner for Justice, and Ylva Johansson, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, addressed the participants during the opening.

The EJOCN will address the poly-criminal nature of criminal networks and their agility in adapting to changes in the criminal environment. The EJOCN’s initial priority focus is combatting drug-related organised crime connected to European ports and other logistic hubs. As key gateways to Europe, ports are not only important hubs for trade but also for crime. 70 per cent of drug seizures done by customs take place in ports. The availability of illicit drugs continues to increase, making drug trafficking one of the most lucrative revenue sources for international criminals. According to Europol’s report on the EU’s most threatening criminal networks, 50 per cent of networks active in the EU are involved in drug trafficking. Criminals active in drug trafficking often resort to extreme violence, money laundering and other offences.

Eurojust has been actively working with national authorities to combat drug trafficking. The number of drug trafficking cases at Eurojust has doubled since 2020. In 2023 alone, Eurojust worked on almost 2 500 cases that led to the seizure of drugs worth more than EUR 25 billion. More on Eurojust casework can be found here.

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51 arrests in wide-scale operation to take down encrypted communication platform used by organised crime groups

Source: Eurojust

Investigations into the communication platform started when authorities were alerted of a new encrypted service being used in Sweden, France, Spain and the Netherlands. Due to servers being located in France, French authorities started investigations into the platform. The platform’s robust encryption made it ideal for criminal networks to use for their activities. It was mostly used for drug trafficking but also for other criminal activities, such as arms trading, homicide, robbery, kidnapping, and money laundering.

The communication platform is a fully anonymised service. Users can purchase the solution without any personal information. The platform uses three encryption standards and offers the option to send a message followed by a specific code that results in the self-destruction of all messages on the target phone. By using multiple private servers around the world, third party or government agencies have difficulty tracking the communication solution.

As servers were found in France and Iceland, the platform was administered from Australia and Canada, and financial assets were located in the United States, a global operation against the phone service started. A joint investigation team (JIT) between authorities from France and the United States was set up at Eurojust, the second-ever JIT with the United States. This allowed them to exchange information and evidence in real time. Authorities from the Netherlands, Sweden, Canada and Australia were also involved in the investigations. Through coordination among the authorities, hosted by Eurojust, a strategy to take down the encrypted phone solution was defined.

To facilitate investigations into the illegal activities using this communication platform, an Operational Taskforce (OTF) was established at Europol in March 2022 involving law enforcement authorities from Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United States.

A Joint Operational Centre was also established at Europol’s headquarters, where representatives from the OTF members and Europol’s officers provided support and facilitated the coordination of the simultaneous operational activities taking place around the globe.

The investigations culminated in a number of joint action days taking place across the globe against the phone service. 38 suspects were arrested in Australia, 11 in Ireland, one in Italy and one in Canada. A drug lab was dismantled in Australia and weapons, drugs and over EUR 1 million euro is cash was seized globally so far. Further actions are expected as the investigation progresses.

The following authorities were involved in the actions:

  • France: Cybercrime unit Prosecutor’s office – JUNALCO (National Jurisdiction against organised crime); Gendarmerie Nationale – C3N Cybercrime Unit
  • Netherlands: National Police
  • Sweden: Swedish Prosecution Authority; Swedish Police Authority
  • Australia: The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
  • Canada: Public Prosecution Service of Canada
  • Iceland: Director of Public Prosecution; National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police; Reykjavik Metropolitan Police
  • United States: Department of Justice; Federal Bureau of Investigation
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Fugitive Italian crime leader arrested in Slovenia

Source: Eurojust

A fast and coordinated action by Italian and Slovenian authorities, supported by Eurojust, has led to the arrest of a dangerous criminal hiding in Koper, Slovenia. The leader of an Italian organised crime group (OCG) was on the run from a 21-year prison sentence. He had been convicted of several crimes including drug trafficking, extortion and kidnapping.

The Italian OCG leader, of Calabrian origin, fled on the eve of his conviction in February this year. A national and European Arrest Warrant was issued for the 40-year-old fugitive. Complex investigations lasting several months were launched. The fugitive was finally located in Slovenia through a phone tapping and surveillance operation.

It was at this point that Eurojust became involved in the operation by executing a European Investigation Order (EIO). The EIO enabled surveillance activities in Slovenia, including phone tracking and physical tailing. In just 10 days, the EIO was executed and the Slovenian and Italian authorities were able to pinpoint the fugitive’s precise location in Koper, leading to his arrest on 20 August.

In February, the OCG leader was sentenced to 21 years in prison. The Italian was the leader of a criminal organisation that trafficked cocaine throughout Italy. He was also convicted of other crimes such as robbery, fraud, embezzlement, extortion, kidnapping and the illegal possession of weapons. In a separate trial, he was found guilty of mafia-related offences.

The following authorities were involved in the actions:

  • Italy: General Prosecution Office at the Court of Appeal of Perugia; Carabinieri – ROS (Special Operational Department); Anti-crime Section of Ancona and Investigation Unit of Fermo; SIRENE Office at the Italian Ministry of Internal Affairs.
  • Slovenia: Public Prosecution Office of Koper; Police Directorate in Koper.
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Eurojust supports large-scale anti-mafia operation leading to arrest and freezing of EUR 50 million

Source: Eurojust

To support other major mafia families, the OCG was involved in various criminal activities, including extortion, money laundering and the fraudulent transfer of valuables. An integrated network of financial professionals in Italy and around the world helped the OCG to invest its profits in companies in Italy, including a well-known hotel.

In 2016, the suspects moved their activities to Brazil to support another Italian criminal and launder more of their profits. The money arrived in Brazil through multiple transit bank accounts and with the support of their network of financial professionals in Italy.

One of the main members of the mafia family moved to Natal, Brazil, to start several companies using straw men and shell companies. Most of the companies were involved in large real estate and construction projects, such as a building site near the northeastern coast of Brazil. As these real estate projects were guaranteed to generate exceptionally high profits, it was easy for the OCG to hide their criminal gains. The total assets of the family are estimated at over EUR 500 million.

The Italian and Brazilian authorities have been investigating the activities of the OCG since 2022 through a joint investigation team (JIT), set up with the support of Eurojust. Their investigations uncovered the activities of the OCG in Switzerland. Through Eurojust, the Swiss authorities were involved in the JIT’s investigations.

On 13 August, a large coordinated operation took place in Italy, Switzerland and Brazil, with support from Eurojust. In Italy, 21 searches were carried out at the homes of the OCG members and the offices of their companies. A suspect was arrested in Brazil and financial assets worth EUR 50 million euros belonging to 17 individuals (all under investigation) were seized, as well as 12 companies involved in the real estate, construction and hospitality sectors. In Switzerland, the house of an Italian businessman was searched.

The following authorities were involved in the actions:

  • Italy: Public Prosecutor’s Office of Palermo – District Antimafia Directorate; Guardia di Finanza – G.I.C.O. (Organized Crime Investigative Group) of Palermo
  • Brazil: Federal Prosecutor’s Office of Rio Grande do Norte
  • Switzerland: Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland; Federal Office of Police fedpol
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Financial scammers detained following actions coordinated by Eurojust

Source: Eurojust

The OCG started their scam by posting false advertisements on the internet that promoted an investment plan that would lead to secure, quick and substantial earnings in virtual currencies. To ensure the credibility of the advertisements, pictures of well-known people, logos of banks and specialised economic publications were added.

People clicking on the advertisement were led to a fake investment platform where the victims would fill in their personal information. To obtain even more personal data, the scammers, posing as financial actors, called their victims to gain access to their bank accounts. With access to the bank accounts, the group transferred sums of money and took over the possession of the victim’s virtual currencies. Through this scam, the OCG was able to gain approximately EUR 3 million.

Investigations into the scam started after victims in Romania reached out to the authorities. This resulted in the uncovering of an organised crime group in Moldova that was responsible for the scam. Investigations continued at Eurojust, where the Romanian and Moldovan authorities set up a joint investigation team (JIT) to work together quickly and efficiently to stop the OCG.

The coordinated actions led to an action day on 7 August during which 19 house searches were conducted in Moldova and evidence such as computers, data storage units, weapons and ammunition, and documents were seized. Moldovan authorities ordered the preventive detention of 12 suspects.

Europol supported the action day by setting up a virtual command post to coordinate the operational activities, providing live cryptoanalysis and cross-checks against Europol’s databases as the data was being collected in the field.

The following authorities were involved in the actions:

  • Romania: Directorate for Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism – Central Structure
  • Moldova: Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Cases
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Sentences of over five years for Dutch criminals robbing ATMs in Germany

Source: Eurojust

Between November 2021 and January 2023 the OCG members used severe violence to blast ATMs and crowbars to pry them open, stealing an estimated EUR 3.4 million. The damages inflicted on the buildings, teller machines, their infrastructure and the bank’s surroundings amounted to well over EUR 4 million.

The gang members often stole fast cars to carry out the heists in Germany, which usually took place at night in the regions of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, before speeding back to the Netherlands. In each attack the OCG managed to steal up to EUR 250 000 in cash. The gang was highly organised, with a clear division of tasks, ranging from organising logistics to blasting open the ATMs.

At the request of the German authorities, Eurojust supported the investigations since May 2022.  The Agency organised two coordination meetings between the authorities involved and facilitated a joint action day in early 2023. In total, sixteen suspects were arrested in the Netherlands between January and September 2023, who were later surrendered to Germany. The Agency also supported the procedures for the surrender of the suspects.

In total, an estimated hundred hauls on German ATMs took place. For thirty cases the suspects were charged. Following plea bargains with the German Public Prosecution Office, fifteen suspects have now been sentenced, two on probation. One defendant is still on trial.

The following authorities conducted and/or supported the investigations:

  • Germany: Public Prosecution Office Bamberg; State Criminal Police Office of Bavaria and State Criminal Police Office of Baden-Württemberg
  • The Netherlands: Public Prosecution Office Central Netherlands/Utrecht; National Police
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Actions taken to stop Romanian human trafficking network

Source: Eurojust

An ongoing investigation led by the Romanian authorities confirmed that, in order to obtain important material benefits, the OCG members have been committing offences of trafficking in human beings, pimping and money laundering, since at least January 2022.

The victims from disadvantaged backgrounds were recruited in Romania and subsequently transported to France for the purpose of sexual exploitation. The recruitment and control of the victims involved various forms of coercion, including threat, force and deception.

The suspects executed most of their activities from Romania, travelling to France only for short periods. Through profiles on a website, they coordinated their activities and were in touch with their clients.

Different short-term rental apartments in France, mostly located in Lyon, were used for their activities. The proceeds of the sexual exploitation were sent to the leaders of the group in Romania and laundered through different investments.

With the support of Eurojust, connections between Romanian and French investigative authorities were made, bringing prosecution to the next phase.

The cooperation between the authorities led to a joint action day on 3 July, coordinated by Eurojust. In Romania, 14 locations were searched and vehicles and money were also seized. Furthermore, bank cards which belonged to victims were found. Of the eight six suspects, six were identified in Romania and two in France. Two of the suspects have been arrested.

Europol facilitated the exchange of information and provided analytical support to the investigation. On the action day, Europol deployed staff to the coordination centre at Eurojust.

Human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation remains the most prevalent form of exploitation in the European Union, with women and girls accounting for 87% of victims. As human trafficking usually takes place across borders, judicial cooperation is key to dismantling the OCGs and bringing them to justice. In 2023, Eurojust assisted in over 300 cross-border human trafficking cases.

The authorities involved in the actions:

  • Romania: Special Operations Directorate, Service for Combating Organized Crime Olt and Gorj; Offices for Combating Organized Crime of Bucharest and Craiova; Mobile Gendarmerie Group “Buzești Brothers” Craiova, Special Intervention Brigade of the Gendarmerie; Prosecution Office of High Court of Cassation and Justice, Directorate for Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism, Mehedinti Territorial Office;
  • France: Investigative judge from JIRS Lyon (Interregional Specialised Jurisdiction); Research Section Lyon, Gendarmerie Nationale
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Illegal trade in fake and prohibited pesticides and fertilizers halted in Romania and Italy

Source: Eurojust

The substances were all banned for trade in the European Union, as they could be dangerous to users and consumers as they contained high doses of active substances. The suspects illegally imported the products from China and Singapore, but sold them as bio- or organic fertilizers and pesticides, using fake labels. The suspects also sold goods that were fake but pretended they were legitimate organic products.

Between February and May 2023, three suspect shipments arriving from outside the European Union were detected by the Romanian customs authorities. Subsequent inspections by the phytosanitary authorities confirmed it concerned fake or banned products, using falsified labels.

Further investigations and searches in Romania, showed an organised crime group (OCG) was behind the illegal activities. The OCG was composed of Romanian and Italian nationals who took over existing companies in Romania or registered new trading companies for the sale of the products in Italy. Falsified declaration forms were used for this purpose.

The Italian judicial authority gathered extensive evidence on the destination to the domestic market of the goods illegally introduced into Romania and identified the suspects who had promoted the illicit traffic in agricultural products from Italy.

At the request of the authorities involved, early this year Eurojust assisted with the setting up and financing of a JIT team into the OCG. The Agency organised a dedicated coordination meeting and supported the cross-border judicial response to the illegal activities.

Europol held several operational meetings in order to proceed with national investigations in a synergistic and aligned manner. Furthermore, it facilitated the exchange of information and provided constant analytical support to the investigations. During operational activities, Europol sent an expert to the field to cross-check operational information in real time and provide the experts with any guidance and technical support.

This support led to a series of coordinated actions in Romania and Italy, during which ten locations were searched across Arad, Bucharest, Verona, and Naples, gathering additional evidence of the crimes. During the course of the activities, the Romanian Judicial Authority also arrested one of the suspects.

The following authorities carried out the operations:

  • Romania: Directorate for Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism, Constanta Territorial Office; Special Operation Directorate (DOS); Brigade for Combating Organized Crime – Sea Ports Combating Organized Crime Service; Border Customs Offices Constanta and Constanta Sud
  • Italy: PPO Verona; NAS Carabinieri Padua; Financial Police Unit of the Guardia di Finanza Verona