2025/07/01

EUROPOL Press Releases - Monthly update (01-07-2025)

 

Europol

Press Releases - Monthly update

Europol coordinates operation against terrorist content online targeting minors

Over 2 000 links were referred during the action day

Published on: 03 Jun 2025

The referral day took place only a few weeks after Europol launched a new Operational Taskforce to tackle the rising trend of recruiting young perpetrators into serious and organised crime. Recent data provided to Europol reveals that minors are now involved in over 70% of criminal markets. Protecting children from being recruited and exploited by criminal networks is one of Europol’s key priorities.Catherine De BolleEuropol’s Executive DirectorTerrorist groups are increasingly targeting young people, exploiting their vulnerabilities but also their abilities to manage online capabilities to ad...


74 handguns and automatic rifles seized, 11 firearms traffickers arrested

Belgian law enforcement supported by Austria and Europol in hit against criminal network engaged in firearms and drugs trafficking

Published on: 04 Jun 2025

On the action day, 50 handguns of one specific make, 13 further handguns, 4 machine guns, 4 rifles, 1 revolver, 2 alarm pistols, 4 large-capacity magazines for automatic weapons, 16 other magazines and 2 homemade clubs were seized. In one location, law enforcement officers found a drug laboratory and over 450 kilos of a novel synthetic drug. Furthermore, the site was used as a storage facility for illegal cigarettes.Months-long investigation into firearms traffickers' networkBelgian law enforcement had been investigating this criminal network for months, gaining insight into the organisers, th...


Bulgarian authorities arrest 18 for smuggling migrants across its southern border

Published on: 05 Jun 2025

On 3 June, law enforcement carried out raids in five major cities across Bulgaria under the supervision of the Burgas Prosecutor’s Office. Officers from Greece, Romania and Moldova joined Bulgarian investigators on the ground, with Europol also deployed to support the action. In total, 18 people were arrested, including a high-value target.The criminal network used a variety of vehicles to smuggle migrants across borders, including vans, trucks, tourist caravans and even car assistance platforms. Many of these were fitted with custom-built hiding compartments that the members of the smuggling ...


50 arrested and 4 tonnes of cocaine seized in major hit against drug trafficking in Spain

Published on: 06 Jun 2025

Results of the operation:48 suspects arrested3.8 tonnes of cocaine seized29 house searches in Fuerteventura (2), Gran Canaria (13) and Lanzarote (14)69 vehicles seized (19 boats and speedboats)6 properties seizedEUR 100 000 in cash seizedEuropol played a key role in the investigation by providing crucial analytical and financial support that contributed to the success of the operation. On the action day, a Europol specialist was deployed to Spain to support authorities in the field.Speedboats and satellite terminalsFollowing months of investigation, authorities arrested some 50 members of a cr...


Steal, Deal, Repeat: Cybercriminals cash in on your data

Europol’s latest cybercrime threat assessment exposes the booming black market for stolen data

Published on: 11 Jun 2025

Europol’s 2025 Internet Organised Crime Threat Assessment (IOCTA), published today, reveals how stolen data fuels the digital underworld, powering a criminal ecosystem that spans from online fraud and ransomware to child exploitation and extortion. The report paints a stark picture of a cybercrime economy built on access—access to your systems, your identity, and your most sensitive information.The Head of Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre, Edvardas Šileris, commented: “You can’t defend what you don’t understand. Europol’s IOCTA 2025 report sheds light on the hidden economy of stolen d...


Frozen yucca, hidden cocaine: drug route from Costa Rica to Europe dismantled

How traffickers adapt routes and concealment methods to avoid detection by authorities

Published on: 12 Jun 2025

The investigation targeted a criminal network that used companies in Costa Rica to receive cocaine from Colombia and conceal it in shipments of frozen yucca powder destined for Europe. The group relied on legitimate logistics chains to disguise their criminal activities and move cocaine by sea and air in small quantities to avoid detection.Shifting logistical routes in response to law enforcement pressureDue to intensified police pressure on other well-known ports such as Guayaquil in Ecuador, criminal organisations have increasingly sought alternative, what they believed to be more secure loc...


Europe-wide takedown hits longest-standing dark web drug market

Administrator arrested in Spain; top vendors targeted in Sweden

Published on: 16 Jun 2025

Between 11 and 13 June, a series of coordinated actions took place across Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain, Sweden, targeting the platform’s administrator, moderators, key vendors, and technical infrastructure. Around 300 officers were deployed to carry out enforcement actions and secure critical evidence.Archetyp Market operated as a drug marketplace for over five years, amassing more than 600 000 users worldwide with a total transaction volume of at least EUR 250 million. With over 17 000 listings, it is one of the few darknet markets that allowed the sale of fentanyl and other highl...


8 arrests for migrant smuggling and drug trafficking across the Mediterranean

The gang used minors as skippers in its criminal operations to minimise the risk of detection

Published on: 19 Jun 2025

The action day led to the following results:8 arrests, including the leaders of the criminal organisation (4 in Algeciras, 3 in Ceuta and 1 in Ibiza)7 property searches in Algeciras, Ceuta and IbizaSeizure of 22 kilos of cannabis and 10 800 tablets of a type of medication used by criminals to prepare a dangerous hallucinogenic mix known as “poor man’s drug”Seizure of almost EUR 50 000 in cashSeizure of 5 vehicles, 2 boats, weapons, electronic devices and navigation equipmentDuring the investigation, Europol provided expertise to the Spanish authorities and performed analysis of information tha...


Teenagers recruited as hitmen: Denmark and Sweden strike back at violence-as-a-service

Iceland is latest country to join Europol’s Operational Taskforce GRIMM

Published on: 19 Jun 2025

The arrests follow multiple investigations into attempted murders ordered via encrypted platforms, including a recent attack on 7 May 2025 in Kokkedal. A total of seven individuals aged between 14 and 26 have now been arrested or surrendered to Danish authorities from abroad, notably Sweden and Morocco. Among those arrested are two 18-year-old men apprehended in Western Sweden and suspected of actively recruiting youngsters to commit targeted killings in Denmark and Sweden. Several suspects are also believed to have facilitated the attacks by providing weapons, ammunition and safe houses ...


Understanding and mitigating bias to harness AI responsibly

New report from Europol’s Innovation Lab Observatory outlines the challenges of AI bias in law enforcement

Published on: 27 Jun 2025

AI is a strong asset for law enforcement to strengthen its capacities to combat emerging threats amplified by digitalisation through the integration of new technical solutions in its tools box against crime. AI can help law enforcement to analyse large and complex datasets, automate repetitive tasks, and to support better informed decision-making. Deployed responsibly, it offers considerable potential to enhance operational capabilities and improve public safety. However, these benefits must be carefully weighed against the possible risks posed by bias, which may appear at various stages ...


New report: major developments and trends on terrorism in Europe in 2024

Published on: 24 Jun 2025

These numbers are sourced from Europol’s European Union Terrorism Situation and Trend Report 2025 (TE-SAT), published today. This flagship report – the only one of its kind in Europe - describes the major developments and trends in the terrorism landscape in the EU in 2024, based on qualitative and quantitative information provided by EU Member States and other Europol partners.Catherine De BolleEuropol Executive DirectorAs the TE-SAT report shows, terrorism and violent extremism are high priorities for EU Member States. The tense geopolitical context has continued to amplify violent extremist...


Crypto investment fraud ring dismantled in Spain after defrauding 5 000 victims worldwide

Fraudsters laundered EUR 460 million in illicit proceeds

Published on: 30 Jun 2025

The action day led to:5 arrests (3 on the Canary Islands and 2 in Madrid)5 searches (3 on the Canary Islands and 2 in Madrid)Europol started supporting the investigation in 2023. Since then, Europol’s financial crime experts have assisted Spanish authorities by coordinating the investigation, providing operational support, and delivering strategic analysis. On the action day, a crypto specialist was deployed to Spain to assist national investigators, contributing to the successful completion of the operation.A network of criminal sales representatives around the worldTo carry out their fraudul...