232 arrested as Europol dismantles four major drug smuggling networks
It follows a series of "coordinated raids" supported by the agency, which led to the arrest of 232 suspects, including several "high-value targets".
Europol said the investigation, codenamed Operation Bulut, took place across multiple jurisdictions and involved authorities in Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain.
The law enforcement agency said that the groups were arrested in connection with the seizure of at least 21 tonnes of drugs in Europe and Turkey, including 3.3 million MDMA tablets.
Europol said the groups had used both traditional smuggling routes and sophisticated logistics.
Investigators also reportedly exposed the groups' involvement in money laundering, violent crime and a wider network of organized criminal activity.
Europol said that the use of "encrypted communication platforms" such as Sky ECC and ANOM had been a crucial tool in the operation.
Over the past two years, Europol has played a key role in coordinating efforts across Europe to support investigations into these criminal networks, the agency said.
By hosting high-level coordination meetings, Europol brought together all involved countries to develop a joint strategy, while intelligence shared through its channels helped map the networks' structure and identify links to other cases, it added.
However, fighting drug trafficking networks in Europe is "a game of cat and mouse," according to Socialist Member of the European Parliament, Sandro Ruotolo.
He was part of a parliamentary delegation that visited the ports of Antwerp in Belgium and Rotterdam in the Netherlands to assess measures to clamp down on the flow of drugs at two of the European Union's major entry points.
The MEPs toured container terminals and met with local port authorities to receive briefings on how organized crime gangs conduct their drug smuggling operations.
"We know the amount of drugs being seized, but how much is actually getting through?" Ruotolo asked, explaining that while scanners at the port of Rotterdam can detect cocaine hidden inside fruit, they are unable to spot it when it is concealed in fabrics. — Euronews
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
Clock ticks on US tariff hikes as Trump expands trade wars
WASHINGTON: Time is running short for governments to strike deals with Washington to avert tariff hikes that Donald Trump has vowed against dozens of economies — and the US president continues to expand his trade wars. As the clock ticked down on a Friday deadline for higher levies to take effect on goods from various trading partners, Trump announced a trade deal with South Korea and separate duties on Brazilian and Indian imports. He also signed an order Wednesday to impose previously-threatened 50 percent tariffs on certain copper products and end a tariff exemption for low-value shipments from abroad. The tariff hikes due Friday were initially announced in April as part of a package where Trump slapped a 10 percent levy on goods from almost all trading partners — citing unfair trade practices. This rate was set to rise to varying levels for dozens of economies like the European Union, Japan and others, but Washington twice postponed their implementation as financial markets gyrated. So far, Britain, Vietnam, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, the EU and South Korea have reached initial deals with Washington to secure less punishing conditions. While the United States and China earlier slapped escalating tariffs on each other's products, both sides are working to further a truce maintaining duties at lower levels. But Trump has been pushing ahead in his efforts to reshape global trade. The US leader insisted Wednesday that the August 1 deadline 'will not be extended' any further. In a Truth Social post, he vowed that this would be 'a big day for America.' Although Trump has promised a surge in government revenues from his duties, economists warn that higher tariffs can fuel an uptick in inflation and weigh on economic growth. This could change consumption patterns. Already, consumers face an overall average effective tariff rate that is the highest since the 1930s, according to a recent analysis by The Budget Lab at Yale University. The effect on consumer prices has been limited so far. But analysts cautioned this could become more pronounced as businesses run down on existing inventory and pass on more costs to buyers. Among Trump's latest announcements were a 25 percent duty on Indian goods to begin Friday — slightly lower than previously threatened — after talks between Washington and New Delhi failed to bring about a trade pact. India would face an unspecified 'penalty' over purchases of Russian weapons and energy as well, Trump said. He also unveiled a 50 percent tariff on Brazilian goods, saying its government's policies and actions threaten US national security. But he delayed its implementation from Friday to August 6 and crucially exempted many products from the prohibitive levy, including orange juice, civil aircraft, iron ore and some energy products. Trump inked an order too for a 50 percent tariff to kick in Friday on goods like copper pipes and wiring, making good on an earlier vow to impose these duties. But the levy, which came after a Commerce Department probe on national security grounds, was less sweeping than anticipated. It left out products like copper ores, concentrates and cathodes, bringing some relief to industry. Meanwhile, Seoul landed a deal with Trump in which South Korean products would face a 15 percent tariff when entering the United States — significantly below a 25 percent level threatened.
Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
Saudi FM seeks global support for final document of ‘Two-State Solution' conference
NEW YORK: Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, has called on all United Nations member states to support the joint declaration issued at the UN on Tuesday calling for an immediate end to the war in Gaza. The document includes an agreement to work jointly toward ending the war in Gaza and reaching a just, peaceful, and lasting settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, based on the effective implementation of the two-state solution, and to build a better future for Palestinians, Israelis, and all peoples of the region. The declaration's plan says conference co-chairs France and Saudi Arabia, the European Union and Arab League, and 15 countries that led the working groups agreed 'to take collective action to end the war in Gaza.' Prince Faisal urged the rest of the 193 UN member nations 'to support this document' before the start of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in mid-September. 'These outcomes reflect comprehensive proposals across political, humanitarian, security, economic, legal, and strategic narrative tracks, and they form an integrated and actionable framework for implementing the two-state solution and achieving peace and security for all,' the foreign minister said, according to the Saudi Press Agency. He reiterated Saudi Arabia's condemnation of all attacks by any party targeting civilians, including indiscriminate attacks, all assaults on civilian infrastructure, provocative actions, incitement, and acts of destruction. The declaration condemns 'the attacks committed by Hamas against civilians' in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. It marks a first condemnation by Arab nations of Hamas, whose attacks killed about 1,200, mainly Israeli civilians, and whose militants took about 250 people hostage. Some 50 are still being held. It also condemns Israel's attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in Gaza and its 'siege and starvation, which have produced a devastating humanitarian catastrophe and protection crisis.' Israel's offensive against Hamas has killed over 60,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which doesn't distinguish between civilians and combatants. It's plan envisions the Palestinian Authority governing and controlling all Palestinian territory, with a transitional administrative committee immediately established under its umbrella after a ceasefire in Gaza. 'In the context of ending the war in Gaza, Hamas must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority,' the declaration says. It also supports deployment of 'a temporary international stabilization mission' operating under UN auspices to protect Palestinian civilians, support the transfer of security to the Palestinian Authority and provide security guarantees for Palestine and Israel — 'including monitoring of the ceasefire and of a future peace agreement.' The declaration urges countries to recognize the state of Palestine, calling this 'an essential and indispensable component of the achievement of the two-state solution.' Without naming Israel but clearly referring to it, the document says 'illegal unilateral actions are posing an existential threat to the realization of the independent state of Palestine.' (With agencies)
Arab News
9 hours ago
- Arab News
Malta says it will recognize the state of Palestine, joining France and possibly Britain
UNITED NATIONS: Malta told a high-level UN meeting Wednesday that it will formally recognize the state of Palestine in September, joining France and the United Kingdom in stepping up pressure to end the nearly 80-year Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Christopher Cutajar, the permanent secretary at Malta's Foreign Ministry, made the announcement at the UN General Assembly's meeting on a two-state solution to the conflict which has been extended to a third day because of the high number of countries wanting to speak. Cutajar said Malta has long supported self-determination for the Palestinian people, and 'as responsible actors, we have a duty to work to translate the concept of a two-state solution from theory into practice.' 'It is for this reason that the government of Malta has taken the principled decision to formally recognize the state of Palestine at the upcoming UN General Assembly in September,' he said. Malta says it wants a 'lasting peace' in Mideast Malta's Prime Minister Robert Abela earlier announced the decision by his country, a former British colony, to recognize a Palestinian state on Facebook, saying it is part of the nation's efforts 'for a lasting peace in the Middle East.' The Mediterranean island nation and European Union member will join more than 145 countries, including over a dozen European nations, in recognizing the state of Palestine. Just delivered the message that Malta will recognise the Palestinian State on the margins of #UNGA80 in September. Stressed the importance of unhindered humanitarian access and an immediate ceasefire to work towards peace with the aim of having two states living side by side. — Christopher Cutajar (@chriscutajar) July 30, 2025 French President Emmanuel Macron announced ahead of this week's meeting that his country will recognize the state of Palestine at the annual gathering of world leaders at the 193-member General Assembly which starts Sept. 23. United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Tuesday that Britain would recognize the state of Palestine before September's meeting, but would refrain if Israel agrees to a ceasefire and long-term peace process in the next eight weeks. France and Britain are the biggest Western powers and the only two members of the Group of Seven major industrialized nations to make such a pledge. Israel opposes a two-state solution and is boycotting the meeting along with its closest ally, the United States. Israel's UN ambassador, Danny Danon, on Tuesday sharply criticized about 125 countries participating in the conference and new recognitions of a Palestinian state, saying 'there are those in the world who fight terrorists and extremist forces and then there are those who turn a blind eye to them or resort to appeasement.' 'While our hostages are languishing in Hamas terror tunnels in Gaza, these countries choose to engage in hollow statements instead of investing their efforts in their release,' Danon said. 'This is hypocrisy and a waste of time that legitimizes terrorism and distances any chance of regional progress.' Malta's Cutajar countered that 'recognition is not merely symbolic – it is a concrete step toward the realization of a just and lasting peace.' Quick action is urged High-level representatives at the UN conference on Tuesday urged Israel to commit to a Palestinian state and gave 'unwavering support' to a two-state solution, and they urged all countries that haven't recognized the state of Palestine to do so quickly. The seven-page 'New York Declaration' sets out a phased plan to end the Israel-Palestinian conflict and the ongoing war in Gaza. The plan would culminate with an independent, demilitarized Palestine living side by side peacefully with Israel, and their eventual integration into the wider Mideast region. A separate one-page statement titled the 'New York Call' approved late Tuesday by 15 Western nations says they have recognized, 'expressed or express the willingness or the positive consideration ... to recognize the state of Palestine, as an essential step toward the two-state solution, and invite all countries that have not done so to join this call.' It included six that have recognized the state of Palestine and nine others including Malta, Andorra, Australia, Canada, Finland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Portugal and San Marino.
