Europol’s ‘Allies 2026’ Targets Crime

From February 9 to 12, 2026, Europol orchestrated the ‘Allies 2026’ exercise, a significant international operation aimed at enhancing collaboration and tactical interoperability among law enforcement across Europe. This exercise simulated real-life scenarios to combat drug trafficking and hybrid threats, involving participants from 12 EU Member States.

The exercise featured two intricate scenarios: ‘Operation Shamrock’ and ‘Operation Cargill’. In Operation Shamrock, teams tracked individuals from Ireland to the Netherlands and back, intent on purchasing drugs with cryptocurrency. The operation spanned several countries, culminating in arrests at a Dublin warehouse. Operation Cargill focused on preventing attacks on critical infrastructure across multiple nations, with surveillance teams meticulously tracking suspects planning assaults on power stations and other essential sites.

Supporting the operations were three expert networks: the ATLAS Network, the European Surveillance Group (ESG), and the In-Flight Security Officer Network (EIFS). These groups provided specialized knowledge and support, facilitating a seamless exchange of information and coordination across borders. Additionally, the exercise utilized the EU-funded tactical communication platform ‘NEOS’ to enhance real-time communication and surveillance among the teams.

Europol’s headquarters in The Hague provided the logistical and coordinative backbone for the exercise, ensuring that all participating teams worked under a unified operational framework. This initiative not only tested the preparedness and response capabilities of European law enforcement but also marked a step forward in using innovative technology for complex international security challenges.