EU-led operations dismantled several criminal networks in South East Europe

European and international law enforcement authorities in October 2024 have targeted multiple criminal networks in the areas of trafficking in human beings, migrant smuggling, drug and illegal firearms trafficking, and the high-risk criminal networks. The operation has been organised by EMPACT, the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats under the Joint Action Days South East Europe 2024, led by Spain.

796 individuals were arrested, 316 investigations initiated, and 442 weapons seized. The operation involved 31,109 officers coordinating actions on the ground, which included 655,914 checks on entities, with 516,153 persons, 152,284 vehicles, 4,985 postal packages, and 1,181 premises being inspected.

A Cyberpatrol gathered for the first time not only law enforcement authorities but also prosecutors from different jurisdictions. This led to the identification of 53 online targets linked to evidence of illicit activities, specifically on firearms trafficking. Most of the illicit activity was detected on customer-to-customer platforms, with some evidence also coming from social media platforms, encrypted platforms, Dark Web marketplaces, and online forums.

A further outcome was the establishment of the International Coordination Centre in Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina), gathering top experts from across Europe to facilitate real-time information exchange and operational coordination.

Participants included representatives from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Moldova, Ukraine, and Türkiye, alongside EU countries - Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, and Sweden.

This action was supported by European and international agencies, including Europol, Eurojust, Frontex, CEPOL, the European Commission, Interpol, SELEC, UNODC, the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, the EU4FAST project, and UNDP SEESAC.

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796 arrests in massive EU action against organised crime