Brussels — The European Union’s crime agency announced on Monday that law enforcement agencies from six nations had joined forces to dismantle a “mega cartel” of drug traffickers responsible for controlling around one-third of the cocaine trade in Europe. According to Europol, 49 people have been detained during the investigation, with the most recent wave of searches occurring between November 8-19 across Europe and the United Arab Emirates.
According to the CIA, “Operation Desert Light” targeted both the “command and control center and the logistical infrastructure of narcotics trafficking in Europe.”
During the investigations conducted in Spain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the UAE with the assistance of Europol, more than 30 tons of narcotics were recovered. Europol stated that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration played a part in dismantling the group, which was also involved in money laundering.
A super cartel controlling one-third of the cocaine trafficking in Europe is dismantled
49 arrests following concurrent investigations supported by Europol in Spain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the UAE
More➡️https://t.co/wzkpoAKAx1
https://t.co/5JBHRdXwDP
— Europol (@Europol) on 28 November 2022
“The magnitude of cocaine imports into Europe under the suspects’ command and control was enormous,” Europol stated, adding that the suspects used encrypted conversations to coordinate drug shipments.
The Netherlands was the country where the most arrests were made in 2021, with 14 individuals being apprehended. Europol said that six “high-value targets” were captured in Dubai.
Europol shared a video on social media that depicted agents of several law enforcement agencies, including Spain’s Guardia Civil and the U.S. DEA, conducting searches, collecting property including jewelry and luxury automobiles, and arresting individuals.
Between November 8-19, coordinated raids were conducted throughout Europe and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). pic.twitter.com/XHrMagzIBj
— Europol (@Europol) on 28 November 2022
In Europe, record volumes of cocaine are being captured. It has never been more accessible on the continent, with extraordinarily high purity and inexpensive pricing.
In 2020, more than 214 tons of cocaine were confiscated in the area, a 6% rise from the previous year. According to the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction, this number might reach 300 tons by 2022.
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