Category: Eurojust

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Authorities disrupt migrant smuggling supply chain

Source: Eurojust

French and German authorities, supported by Eurojust and Europol, have rolled up a criminal network responsible for transporting equipment used to smuggle migrants to the United Kingdom. An international operation took place on 4 December where five suspects were arrested in France and eight suspects were arrested in Germany.

Investigations into the criminal network uncovered a sophisticated operation across multiple countries. Nautical equipment such as inflatable boats, life vests and engines was purchased in Turkey and then taken to a warehouse in Germany. Human smugglers then picked up the equipment from the warehouse to take it to the coast of northern France. From there, the smugglers used low-quality inflatable boats to smuggle migrants over the Channel to the United Kingdom.

Yesterday’s operation follows a cross-border investigation between French and German authorities, coordinated by Eurojust and Europol. French authorities became aware of the network’s activities and found that most of the suspects to be living Germany. At Eurojust, the authorities worked together to define a strategy to take down the network and arrest the suspects. Law enforcement agencies from France and Germany worked together on this operation through a dedicated Europol Operational Taskforce. A coordination centre at Eurojust on 4 December ensured that authorities were able to cooperate in real time while actions were executed.

Over 500 German officers were deployed in the early hours of 4 December to take down the criminal network and execute European Arrest Warrants and European Investigation Orders from France. During the operations on 4 December, 13 suspects were arrested, including a High Value Target. Authorities searched 15 homes and 10 warehouses in Germany. They were able to seize supplies such as inflatable boats, flotation devices for children, air pumps and engines, as well as electronic devices, arms and cash.

The following authorities were involved in the actions:

  • France: JIRS Lille (Interregional Specialised Jurisdiction) – Court of Lille; French Border Police
  • Germany: Public Prosecutor’s Office Düsseldorf; German Federal Police

 
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Drug trafficking gang tackled in Germany and Serbia: ten arrests

Source: Eurojust

The OCG had allegedly been importing illicit drugs from the Netherlands to the Rhine-Main area since 2022, using several locations such as cafés as front stores for its illegal activities. The drugs were transported to these locations in cars with hidden compartments for further distribution by couriers to Serbia, but also other EU Member States and third countries.

Among the arrested suspects are the alleged ringleaders, couriers and street dealers. The Serbian part of the network operated from a café in Sremska Mitrovica. Investigations into the OCG are ongoing and an adequate estimate of the proceeds cannot be given at this stage.

Investigations into the OCG were initiated in Serbia also in 2022, showing links between the two countries involved in today’s operation. Eurojust assisted with the financing and setting up of the JIT in August this year and organised four coordination meetings to prepare for the joint actions in Germany and Serbia. 

Furthermore, the Agency supported the execution of requests for Mutual Legal Assistance between Serbia and Germany. Serbia is one of the 12 countries outside the EU that have a Liaison Prosecutor based at Eurojust in The Hague*. During the action day, close to 400 police officers were deployed in Germany and Serbia. 

Furthermore, six kilos of cocaine, several vehicles, weapons, ammunition and luxury watches were seized, as well as at least EUR 60 000 in cash, a device to detect intercepted communications and various mobile phones and laptops.  

The actions of this week were carried out at the request of and by the following authorities:

  • Germany: Public Prosecutor’s Office (PPO) (Staatsanwaltschaft) Wiesbaden; Regional Criminal Police of Hesse (Landeskriminalamt Hessen), Wiesbaden
  • Serbia: PPO for Organised Crime; Ministry of Interior Affairs, Service for Combating Organised Crime 

*The other countries outside the EU with Liaison Prosecutors at Eurojust are: Albania, Georgia, Iceland, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States

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Eurojust Annual Meeting on Counter-Terrorism: tackling the multifaceted terrorist threat

Source: Eurojust

28 November 2024|

On 27 and 28 November, Eurojust hosted its annual counter-terrorism meeting, which gathered specialised prosecutors and other experts from EU Member States and third countries, as well as representatives from EU institutions, to discuss the latest challenges and share best practices in combatting terrorist threats.

The meeting was opened by Mr Michael Schmid, Eurojust President, and Mr Baudoin Thouvenot, National Member for France and Chair of the Eurojust Counter-Terrorism Team. Mr Bartjan Wegter, the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator (EU CTC), and representatives from the European Commission highlighted that counter-terrorism is a standing priority for the EU and presented key relevant policy and legislative developments on this issue. In a context where the terrorist threat is increasingly complex and multifaceted, participants also discussed the scope of terrorism and the acts that may lead to it.  

On the second day, the meeting enabled attendees to share views, experiences and practical examples on how to tackle a range of terrorism related challenges, particularly those linked to propaganda, radicalisation and the growing role played by minors.

On the margins of the meeting, President Schmid and Mr Thouvenot met with Mr Wegter to discuss ongoing and future cooperation.

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Out now: SIRIUS Electronic Evidence Situation Report 2024

Source: Eurojust

While new legislative initiatives such as the EU Digital Services Act, the EU Electronic Evidence legislative package and the Second Additional Protocol to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime signal progress, the process of accessing cross-border digital evidence across borders remains complex. Judicial cooperation remains slow and cumbersome, while voluntary cooperation with service providers, though faster, lacks legal certainty.

From the perspective of law enforcement, Single Points of Contact (SPoCs) continue to play a crucial role in improving compliance rates with requests for data and facilitating faster exchanges. The report also highlights the growing importance of training for EU law enforcement on electronic evidence, though structural challenges remain, particularly around lengthy judicial cooperation processes and fragmented company policies.

For judicial authorities, the introduction of the EU Electronic Evidence legislative package is expected to provide more efficient tools for cross-border data access, enhancing their ability to gather and retain vital electronic evidence. However, concerns persist over the lack of an EU-wide data retention framework, which could lead to the loss of critical information needed for investigations.

The report also includes the perspective of service providers, who have seen an increase in data requests but note improvements in public-private cooperation. Key challenges, such as overly broad data requests and misunderstandings about their services, are highlighted as issues that can be addressed through better communication and educational efforts. Service providers, in particular, are focused on and eagerly welcome the upcoming implementation of new EU laws.

In light of these findings, the report concludes offering key recommendations for stakeholders, urging EU law enforcement and judicial authorities to enhance training and prepare for upcoming legislative changes. Service providers are encouraged to engage proactively with the SIRIUS Project and prepare for compliance with the new regulations.

The 2024 EU Electronic Evidence Situation Report, based on direct exchanges with key stakeholders, serves as an essential resource for all stakeholders, public and private, navigating the evolving landscape of cross-border access to electronic evidence in the EU. Building on its existing expertise, the SIRIUS Project will continue to support the daily efforts of law enforcement, judicial authorities, and service providers during its third phase, set to begin next year, while also keeping policymakers informed about the persistent challenges they face.

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Crackdown on illegal streaming network with 22 million users worldwide

Source: Eurojust

Authorities have struck a blow at illegal streaming networks, by shutting down one of the world’s largest illegal service. Eurojust and Europol supported the operation, which involved cooperation between Italian, Croatian, Dutch, Romanian, Swedish, Swiss and UK authorities. In a large-scale operation, over 100 searches were carried out against 102 suspects. Eleven suspects are arrested in Croatia.

The suspects illegally distributed material from streaming services online, including films and series. They also pirated more than 2 500 television channels such as sports channels. The illegal service served more than 22 million users worldwide. They were able to make over EUR 250 million in illegal profits per month. The economic damages to the copyright holders of the material is estimated at EUR 10 billion. 

To evade authorities, the suspects allegedly used encrypted messaging services to communicate and false identities to register phone numbers, credit cards, server rentals and television subscriptions. On 26 November, during an international operation, the servers hosting the illegal streaming were seized and shut down, disrupting the services.

Collaboration between authorities was set up at Eurojust to take down the streaming service. Coordination meetings at Eurojust’s headquarters allowed authorities from Italy, Croatia, the Netherlands, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom to work together on the investigation and plan the operation to shut down the service and arrest the suspects. Europol supported the operation by deploying experts and analysing the available intelligence during the investigation phase. 

The cooperation between the authorities culminated in a joint operation to take down the services on 26 November. During searches in Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Romania, Croatia, the United Kingdom and China, over EUR 1.6 million in cryptocurrency and EUR 40 000 in cash was seized. Croatian police arrested 11 suspects. 

The authorities involved in the actions were:

  • Italy: Public Prosecution Office Catania
  • Croatia: The Office for the Suppression of Corruption and Organised Crime 
  • Netherlands: Fiscal Information and Investigation Service; Public Prosecution Service Rotterdam 
  • Romania: Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism; Direction for Fighting Organized Crime – Cyber Crime Fighting Service
  • Sweden: National unit against organized crime at the Swedish Prosecution Authority; Swedish Police Authority
  • Switzerland: Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland; Federal Office of Police 
  • United Kingdom: City of London Police
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Unaccompanied minors and challenges in the digital domain on agenda at annual meeting on migrant smuggling

Source: Eurojust

Migrant smuggling is a lucrative global crime that prioritises profits over human life, posing a significant threat to the EU’s internal security. Transnational organised crime groups frequently prey on vulnerable migrants, subjecting them to violence, abuse, exploitation, and even death, as they seek to maximise their gains. 

Smugglers also increasingly use digital services and tools, such as social media, online platforms and mobile applications, for recruitment, advertising their services, communication and money transfers. This digital dimension of migrant smuggling investigations has a significant impact on judicial proceedings and presents new challenges to prosecution. During the meeting, Eurojust presented a new leaflet outlining the resources available at the Agency to fight migrant smuggling in the digital domain. The digitalisation of migrant smuggling is also one of the priority work strands under the European Commission’s flagship initiative, the Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling. 

The meeting included participants from across the EU Member States and third countries, including the Western Balkans and EuroMed Justice partner countries. It featured three sessions, including discussions on unaccompanied minors as migrants, migrant smuggling in the digital domain, and country updates on trends and developments in the participants’ countries. 

Eurojust has been actively involved in the fight against migrant smuggling, coordinating 425 cases in 2023. The Agency provides operational support to national authorities through all stages of the proceedings, from when a case is opened by an EU Member State until justice is served in court.

To strengthen its work in this field, Eurojust also supports a Focus Group of prosecutors and investigative judges fighting migrant smuggling, which consists of specialised prosecutors from all EU Member States and some non-EU States. The Focus Group serves as an important hub to regularly connect key judicial actors at national level in the EU Member States who are responsible for tackling migrant smuggling crimes, and to support their joint operational response. Members of the Focus Group convene once at year at the Eurojust annual meeting.

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Action against criminal network smuggling Syrian migrants via Balkan route: 29 arrests

Source: Eurojust

Eurojust and Europol have assisted the German authorities with the coordinated takedown of a smuggling network, which was illegally transporting Syrian migrants via the Balkan route. In total, 29 suspects involved in the smuggling of at least 750 migrants to Germany and the United Kingdom were arrested. Twenty arrests were made yesterday during a coordinated action. Last month, the Serbian authorities already arrested and charged nine suspects involved in the same organised crime group (OCG).

Eurojust also supported Germany, Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia in setting up and financing a joint investigation team (JIT), in operational partnership with Austria, to investigate the criminal network.

Migrants paid between EUR 4 500 and EUR 12 000 per person to be transported irregularly to Europe by the OCG. At this stage, it is difficult to make an adequate assessment of the OCG’s overall profits.

The network arranged the further transport of Syrian migrants who had arrived on European shores mainly via the Balkan route, through Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Poland, Lithuania, Czechia and Austria. On some journeys, around one hundred Syrian migrants were transported to their final destinations in Germany and the United Kingdom at the same time. The transports to the United Kingdom took place via the Netherlands, using different types of vehicles. Routes were often changed to avoid detection by law enforcement.

During the action day, 25 places were searched and vehicles, cash, various communication devices and data carriers were seized. More than 450 police officers were deployed in the countries involved as part of the operation.

The investigations into the OCG was initiated in May 2022 by the German Public Prosecution Office (PPO) of Traunstein. In 2023, the German authorities requested Eurojust to facilitate contacts with all the other countries involved and assist in setting up the JIT.

The Agency also organised a coordination centre on its premises to support the action day and direct contacts between all authorities on the ground. In preparation, Eurojust organised four coordination meetings and assisted with the execution of European Investigation Orders and requests for Mutual Legal Assistance to the non-EU countries involved.

Europol established an Operational Taskforce in collaboration with Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Serbia, the United Kingdom and other European countries. The information exchanged within this taskforce revealed the dynamic operations of the criminal network under investigation. Europol’s experts analysed this information, and the international exchange helped to clarify the structure of the criminal activities and identify the actors involved in the smuggling and the financial activities linked to the network.

The operations on the ground were carried out at the request of and by the following authorities:

  • Germany: PPO Traunstein; Federal Police District Office for Crime Control Munich
  • Austria: PPO Vienna; Criminal Intelligence Service Austria; State Criminal Police Burgenland
  • The Netherlands: PPO Oost-Brabant
  • Poland: Circuit Prosecutor’s Office Białystok; Border Guard
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina: Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina; State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA)
  • Serbia: Public Prosecutor’s Office for Organised Crime; Service for Combating Organized Crime
  • United Kingdom: National Crime Agency (NCA)
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International cigarette trafficking ring dismantled: 15 arrests

Source: Eurojust

The group was discovered after they were caught importing large quantities of tobacco into the country without notifying customs authorities. The tobacco imported by the criminal group was concealed as waste tobacco. After entering the European Union, it was transported to customs warehouses in Belgium, Spain and Italy, from where it was taken to Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands to be produced and sold as cigarettes. French authorities discovered that illegal tobacco was entering the country hidden in magazines.

The authorities soon discovered that the cigarette production plants scattered across Europe were connected. Investigations revealed that the same criminal organisation was responsible for setting up these factories. The group ran a sophisticated operation through multiple entities. One in Bulgaria was responsible for transporting non-tobacco materials such as filters, papers and adhesives to Greece and Italy. Another entity in Poland specialised in the logistics and transport of the tobacco and counterfeit cigarettes. The group recruited individuals across Europe, including high-value targets with extensive criminal records.

To dismantle the operation, a joint investigation team was set up involving French, Italian and Polish authorities at Eurojust. Throughout the investigation, the authorities were able to intercept several shipments of illegally cut tobacco, totalling more than 50 000 kg. In the meantime, several production lines were taken down and millions of counterfeit cigarettes were seized. The value of goods seized during the operation is estimated at EUR 13 million.

The dismantling of the cigarette trafficking network culminated in a joint operation in six countries on 19 November, and continued in France on November 20. 15 suspects were arrested, 2 in Bulgaria, 4 France, 1 in Germany, 4 in Greece and 4 in Poland. Searches in Italy resulted in the seizure of EUR 46 000, mobile phones, documentation and tobacco.

Coordination between the authorities through Eurojust and Europol was crucial to the success of the operation. The joint investigation team set up at Eurojust ensured that evidence and information could be exchanged and joint operations carried out.

The following authorities were involved in the actions:

  • France: National Jurisdiction against Organised Crime (JUNALCO); Central Office for Fighting against Mobile Organized Criminal Groups (OCLDI); National Office against Fraud (ONAF);
  • Italy: Public Prosecutor’s Office in Bergamo; Carabinieri Operational Department in Bergamo; Guardia di Finanza Economic Financial Unit in Bergamo
  • Poland: West Pomeranian Regional Division of the Department for Organised Crime and Corruption of the National Public Prosecutor’s Office in Szczecin; Warmia and Mazury Border Guard Unit
  • Belgium: General Administration of Customs and Excise
  • Bulgaria: Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office; Investigation Department of Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office; General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime
  • Germany: Munich I Public Prosecutor’s Office; the Munich Customs Investigation Office,
  • Greece: Public Prosecutor’s Office (PPO) of the Court of Appeal of Athens, Piraeus and Thessaloniki; Investigative Judges of PPO of the Court of First Instance of Athens, Piraeus and Thessaloniki; Directorate for the Fight against Organized Crime; Subdirectorate for Combating Trafficking in Persons and Goods; Subdirectorate for the Suppression of Organised Crime of Northern Greece
  • Latvia: 3rd Unit of International Cooperation Department of the Central Criminal Police Department of the State Police; Department for Combating Serious and Serial Organized Crimes of the Central Criminal Police Department of the State Police
  • Lithuania: Vilnius Public Prosecutor’s Office
  • Netherlands: Public Prosecution Service Den Bosch
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Laboratory seized and ten arrests in operation against Albanian-led cocaine trafficking gang

Source: Eurojust

In 2023, the Albanian Special Prosecution Office against Organised Crime (SPAK) launched an investigation into the network. This investigation revealed that the network was involved in large-scale drug trafficking from Latin America through European ports, with Albania as a gateway to the wider European drug market. The seized laboratory was processing and refining drugs for wholesale to other OCGs across Europe. An estimate of the total volume of the drug trafficking and wholesale value is currently being made.

In addition to the laboratory, the following items were also seized:

  • Nearly 50 tonnes of raw materials to potentially conceal narcotics
  • Over 6 kilos of cocaine
  • Almost 90 kilos of solid drug  mixing materials and 50 kilos of liquids for the preparation of wholesale cocaine
  • Laboratory equipment, such as presses, acetone, glass test tubes, chemical materials, microwaves and packaging bags 
  • Over EUR 50 000 in cash in various currencies
  • Bank and phone cards, as well as various mobile communication equipment
  • Six  vehicles

Eurojust assisted SPAK and the authorities in Reggio Calabria with the execution of requests for Mutual Legal Assistance from Albania to Italy. This was done through its National Desk for Italy and the Albanian Liaison Prosecutor at the Agency. Albania* is one of the twelve countries outside the European Union with a Liaison Prosecutor based at Eurojust in The Hague.

The operation last weekend was carried out by and at the request of:

  • Albania: Special Prosecution Office against Organised Crime (SPAK)
  • Italy: Public Prosecutor’s Office of Reggio Calabria; Guardia di Finanza Reggio Calabria

*The other countries with Liaison Prosecutors at Eurojust are: Georgia, Iceland, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom and United States. 

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Precious archaeological vases and coins returned to Italian museum with support of Eurojust

Source: Eurojust

Eurojust has supported Italian authorities with the return of over 2 500 precious ancient coins, vases and small sculptures that had been illegally excavated and later sold in Switzerland. Last Friday afternoon, the treasures from the ancient city of Cales, dating from the third century BC and the eight century DC, were officially presented in the National Archaeological Museum of Santa Maria Capua Vetere.

Eurojust helped Italian authorities carry out searches in Switzerland and collect data on bank accounts and transfers in Belgium and the Netherlands, as well as information on online auction houses. A total of 43 suspects were indicted, four of whom were initially taken into custody. They were suspected of art fraud, including illegal excavations, sales through auction houses and the provision of fake certificates of authenticity. The value of the returned artefacts is estimated at around EUR 2 million.

The investigations were launched in 2022 by the Public Prosecutor’s Office (PPO) of Santa Maria Capua Vetere and the special Command for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of the Carabinieri. Their findings showed that archaeological treasures from the ancient Roman colony of Cales were being put up for sale by Swiss auction houses. The investigations also proved that the ancient coins and pottery had been excavated without permission.

The PPO of Santa Maria Capua Vetere subsequently contacted Eurojust to establish cooperation with Swiss law enforcement authorities to organise searches and the seizure of the artefacts. The Agency assisted with the execution of European Investigation Orders to Belgium and the Netherlands, and requests for Mutual Legal Assistance to Switzerland.

A total of approximately 2 000 coins lacking an official certificate of provenance were found, as well as over 500 precious vases, sculptures and other pieces of ancient pottery. Dozens of metal detectors and various technical equipment for illegal excavations were also found. All the antiquities have been formally confiscated and returned as official Italian state property.

A special exhibition of the returned heritage was opened Friday in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale dell’Antica Capua. The artefacts will remain the property of the museum. Representatives of Eurojust attended the opening of the exhibition.

The following authorities were involved in the cooperation through Eurojust:

  • Italy: PPO Santa Maria Capua Vetere; Carabinieri – Command for the Protection of Cultural Heritage
  • Belgium: PPO Limburg; Local police Limburg Regio Hoofdstad; PPO West Flanders; Local police Het Houtsche
  • The Netherlands: PPO (Arrondissementsparket) Amsterdam; Police Amsterdam
  • Switzerland: Public Prosecutor’s Office III of Zurich (International Legal Assistance Division) and Cantonal Police of Zürich