Europol

1. Europol supports strike-down on criminal organisation smuggling tens of thousands of hazardous salvage cars from the US

   The investigation, code-named ‘Nimmersatt’ (‘Insatiable’ in German), extended from the US to Russia, with links to Canada, Hungary, Ireland and the United Kingdom (UK), as well as 11 EU countries. Investigative measures were conducted today and yesterday in Bulgaria, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania and Spain.Wrecked cars, fake import papers, cosmetic repairs and tax fraudCriminal organisations...

2. Encrypted app intelligence exposes sprawling criminal networks across Europe

   These results were made possible by the continued exploitation of encrypted communication platforms, including Sky ECC and ANOM, which remain powerful tools in the hands of investigators.Unmasking the drug pipelines into EuropeOn 15 April, coordinated raids took place in several European countries and Türkiye, targeting both the leadership and logistical arms of these criminal networks. A total of 232 suspects...

3. AK rifles and grenades seized as firearms trafficking route into France dismantled

   Seven suspects have been arrested in connection with the gang, which is believed to have sourced high-powered weapons from illegal markets in the Western Balkans and trafficked them into France for onward distribution.The joint operation – supported by Europol and Eurojust – has taken down the full supply chain behind the trafficking route, from source to destination.Caravan weapons cache sparks...

4. Migrant-smuggling driver cell intercepted in France

   At the end of 2022, the French Gendarmerie in Strasbourg initiated an investigation against a criminal network involved in the smuggling of migrants from Serbia into the EU. The criminal network was mainly active across the Serbian-Hungarian and Greek-Turkish borders. However, smuggling operations linked to this network were also detected at intra-Schengen borders, notably at the Austrian-Hungarian and the Austrian-Croatian...

5. Europol signs Working Arrangement with the Arab Republic of Egypt, first agreement with an African country

   The Working Arrangement provides for a structured and enhanced exchange of information (non-personal data) on transnational, serious and organised crime. Following the signing of the Working Arrangement, Egypt’s Ministry of Interior will be able to deploy a liaison officer to join Europol’s liaison officer community at its headquarters in The Hague. The Working Arrangement does not provide a legal basis...