Cocaine Money Trail Unraveled

An extensive international operation led by the French National Gendarmerie has successfully dismantled a network involved in laundering cocaine profits for Italian organized crime groups, Europol announced. The crackdown targeted a sophisticated scheme aiding the Camorra and ‘Ndrangheta mafias, with arrests made across several European countries.

The investigation, which began with a probe into suspicious financial transactions, uncovered an elaborate laundering system. The network utilized shell companies, false invoicing, and investments in luxury assets to cleanse millions of euros derived from cocaine trafficking. Europol coordinated this operation alongside Eurojust, involving multiple European law enforcement agencies.

Authorities arrested a Montenegrin national, previously flagged by Europol as a high-value target. This individual, believed to be a key figure in the criminal organization, was apprehended in Cannes, France, along with his Italian son-in-law, known for various criminal activities including money laundering and fraud. The operation revealed that the laundering network was intricately linked to large-scale cocaine shipments from South America to major European ports.

The coordinated enforcement action spanned France, Italy, Belgium, and Switzerland, leading to the arrest of seven suspects and the seizure of luxury vehicles and properties valued over EUR 5 million. Additional assets were also secured in Switzerland and Italy. This collaborative effort highlights the ongoing commitment of Europol and partner agencies to combat international crime and financial malfeasance.