OTF GRIMM: Swedish teenager arrested for prison shooting in the Netherlands
A Swedish minor has been arrested in Sweden on 23 January for his alleged involvement in a shooting outside a prison in the Netherlands, following intelligence development provided by Europol. The shooting was carried out in Alphen aan den Rijn on 16 January.
Large migrant smuggling operation in Bulgaria leads to 16 arrests
A Bulgarian-led investigation, carried out in close cooperation with the Hellenic Police and supported by Europol, has led to the dismantlement of an organised criminal network involved in smuggling of migrants from Türkiye via Bulgaria and onward through Serbia or Romania towards Western European countries. The investigation was conducted within the framework of a regional Operational Taskforce established to target migrant smuggling networks using Bulgaria as a transit country.
Wanted Polish sex offender arrested in France following EU Most Wanted tip
A Polish fugitive wanted for a serious sexual offence has been arrested in France following an appeal published on the EU Most Wanted website, supported by Europol and the European Network of Fugitive Active Search Teams (ENFAST).
Europol signs Working Arrangement with the Argentine Republic
In December, the Ministry of National Security of the Argentine Republic and the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) signed a Working Arrangement in order to support the Member States of the European Union and Argentina in preventing and combating serious and organised crime and terrorism.The Working Arrangement provides for a structured legal framework for cooperation and enhanced...
24 industrial-scale labs dismantled in the largest-ever operation against synthetic drugs
A large-scale law enforcement action, conducted within the Europol-coordinated operation Fabryka, led to the dismantling of a criminal network operating across the European Union. On Friday, 16 January, coordinated efforts took place in Poland, as well as in Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. These actions targeted a network suspected of importing a large quantity of precursors used for the production of synthetic drugs in labs across multiple countries. Additionally, the network engaged in money laundering activities to further its illicit operations. The year-long operation Fabryka involved law enforcement and judicial authorities from Belgium, Czechia, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain.
Europol supports French investigation into alleged criminal activity linked to platform X
The investigation is conducted by the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office with the support of the French Gendarmerie’s cybercrime unit (UNCyber) and Europol.On the action day, French authorities carried out investigative measures in the offices of the platform in France. Europol supported the investigation through its European Cybercrime Centre (EC3), providing specialised cybercrime expertise and deploying an analyst on the ground...
Drug trafficking network supplying cocaine to Iceland dismantled
A criminal network involved in cocaine trafficking from South America to Europe has been dismantled following a coordinated investigation by authorities in Iceland, Lithuania and Spain, with the support of Europol and Eurojust. The group is believed to have generated EUR 4 million in criminal profits through the large-scale trafficking of illicit substances.
EUR 1.2 billion in counterfeit cash stopped in postal operation
Law enforcement authorities from 18 countries have stopped an estimated EUR 1.2 billion in counterfeit banknotes and coins from entering circulation during Operation DECOY III, a Europol-coordinated action led by Austria, Portugal, and Spain.
Joint report outlines practical approach to prioritising post-quantum cryptography migration in financial services
A new joint report published by Europol and its partners provides financial institutions with a structured, risk-based approach to preparing for the transition to post-quantum cryptography. Advances in quantum computing are expected to challenge the long-term security of today’s encryption standards.
Europol report: evolving tactics in maritime cocaine trafficking operations
A new Europol report published today provides a comprehensive analysis of the evolving tactics employed by criminal networks to traffic cocaine into Europe via maritime routes. The report, 'Diversification in Maritime Cocaine Trafficking Modi Operandi', provides an in-depth analysis of the shifting tactics employed by organised crime networks, which continue to exploit vulnerabilities and evade detection.
Authorities Intercept Millions in Fake Banknotes and Coins Across Europe, US
<p>Europol <a href="https://www.europol.europa.eu/media-press/newsroom/news/eur-12-billion-in-counterfeit-cash-stopped-in-postal-operation">said</a> Wednesday that authorities from 18 countries seized an estimated 1.2 billion euros ($1.43 billion) in counterfeit currency in a six-month operation targeting criminal networks that distributed fake banknotes and coins through postal services.</p><p>The operation, led by Austria, Portugal and Spain and carried out between June and November 2025, intercepted more than seven million counterfeit items, including 4.8 million euros, $2.3 million, 23,302 pounds and 4,800 Swiss francs. More than 90 percent of the fake currency originated in China, the agency said.</p><p>Romanian officials alone seized over 4.8 million altered-design euro banknotes and dismantled a storage site holding more than 223,000 counterfeit notes, while additional actions in Portugal, the United Kingdom and the United States uncovered more than 220,000 fake coins in multiple currencies.</p><p>The coordinated crackdown, involving customs and police agencies across Europe and the U.S., has triggered 70 new investigations, Europol added.</p>
Häufige Fragen
Q:What agreement has Europol signed with the Argentine Republic?
Europol has signed a Working Arrangement with the Argentine Republic.
Q:What was the outcome of the operation against synthetic drugs?
24 industrial-scale labs were dismantled in the largest-ever operation against synthetic drugs.
Q:What does the joint report regarding financial services focus on?
The joint report outlines a practical approach to prioritising post-quantum cryptography migration in financial services.
Q:What does the Europol report reveal about maritime cocaine trafficking?
The Europol report discusses evolving tactics in maritime cocaine trafficking operations.
Q:What was the result of the migrant smuggling operation in Bulgaria?
The large migrant smuggling operation in Bulgaria led to 16 arrests.