Law enforcement forces launched “unprecedented” raids on Tuesday across several European countries, targeting four major organised crime syndicates. The operation resulted in over 200 arrests- most in Turkey- and dealt a “massive blow” to drug trafficking networks.
In the course of Operation “Bulut” (“Cloud” in Turkish), authorities seized over 21 tonnes of narcotics, including 3.3 million MDMA pills, Europol reported.
“This is one of the most significant hits against organised crime in recent years,” said Andy Kraag, head of Europol’s Serious and Organised Crime Centre.
Footage from the raids showed armed officers storming properties, arresting suspects, and seizing drugs, vehicles, and cash.
A total of 234 arrests were made, 225 of them in Turkey. The criminal groups were involved in the trafficking of cocaine from Latin America, heroin from Iran and Afghanistan, cannabis via the Balkans, and ecstasy through Europe.
The raids also disrupted money laundering and violent criminal activities.
The operation was made possible through decrypted messages obtained after the shutdown of platforms like Sky ECC and ANOM.
“This treasure trove of intelligence continues to yield results,” Kraag noted, adding that further arrests could follow.
