Key Takeaways:
– European police arrested 47 people linked to a large-scale drug smuggling operation.
– More than 6 million anxiety, seizures, and insomnia prescription pills seized.
– The pills, estimated to be worth $13.6 million, were intended to be distributed across Estonia, Finland, and Norway.
– The covert operation was led by Eurojust and Europol, involving coordinated raids across Romania, Serbia, and Finland.
– Apart from the pills, officers also confiscated guns, mobile phones, and luxury cars.
The Fight against Prescription Pill Smuggling
In a significant breakthrough against illicit drug trade, a Europe-wide gang that smuggled millions of prescription pills into Finland and Norway has been taken down. The operation led to 47 arrests and seizure of over 6 million pills, marking a significant dent in the illegal drug trade.
Behind the Scenes of the Operation
Estonian, Finnish, Romanian, and Serbian police carried out the cooperative operation under supervision of Eurojust – the EU’s judicial agency. The criminal group had an extensive network across Europe, procuring pills from other criminals in Serbia. These pills, generally used to treat conditions such as anxiety, seizures, and insomnia, were concealed in tires and cars, in clothes and transported on trucks, making their way to Romania first. From there, the illegal substances were smuggled into Estonia, Finland, and Norway. The street value of the seized pills was estimated to be around $13.6 million.
Wide-ranging Search and Seizure
The intensive operation was executed simultaneously at 61 locations across Romania, Serbia, and Finland. The crackdown didn’t only net pills – the police also confiscated guns, mobile phones, and luxury vehicles. Eurojust and Europol played a critical role in coordinating this large-scale operation, helping local authorities successfully carry out the arrests.
The Rising Threat of Drug Smuggling
Europol’s report released earlier this year stated the rising trend of drug smuggle amongst Europe’s dangerous gangs. These gangs are reportedly dabbling in smuggling cocaine, cannabis, heroin, and synthetic drugs along with prescription pills. Criminal organizations hide behind legal businesses like fruit companies and hotels to carry out their illicit operations, making it challenging for authorities to track their activities.
Cracking Down on Criminal Networks
Last month, Eurojust and Europol dismantled an encrypted communication platform named Ghost, which was dominated by criminal activities. Mainly used for large-scale drug trafficking, money laundering, and organized crime, Ghost’s takedown marked a significant milestone in this ongoing battle against drug smuggling. In July, another successful operation led to the arrest of 50 suspects involved with a major network importing cocaine from Latin America into Europe.
Continuing the Fight
This newly interrupt drug smuggling scheme is another testament to the relentless efforts of European authorities in their fight against drug-related crimes. By weakening an influential criminal network, this operation encourages law enforcement agencies to continue combatting illegal drug trade with renewed vigor. This sends a strong message to others involved in such destructive trade: European law enforcement will not stop until they have completely eradicated such criminal activities. As such, these operations highlight the urgent need for ongoing collaboration among European countries to tackle the pervasive issue of drug smuggling across borders.