Human TraffickingOrganised Crime

Dismantling an International Cocain Trafficking Network

An international criminal group specialised in cocaine trafficking from South America to Europe through a company from Moldova, has been dismantled with authorities working together from Belgium and the Republic of Moldova, with the support of Europol.

The operation took place thanks to the consolidated efforts in carrying out special investigative measures and the criminal prosecution actions of a joint investigation group formed by the General Police Inspectorate of Moldova, the Belgian Federal Judicial Police of East-Flanders and Europol.

At the beginning of December 2018, searches were carried out in parallel in Belgium and Moldova where evidence proving criminal activity was found.

In January 2019, 2 200 kg of cocaine were seized in Suriname which were also destined for Europe and was probably another cargo of the same criminal organisation.

The measures taken so far by the joint investigation team are:

  • 20 targets were arrested in Belgium, the Netherlands and the Republic of Moldova;
  • confiscation of financial means and other assets estimated at about €1.5 million, coming from the criminal activities;
  • seizure of 12 luxury cars.

In Moldova, the suspects face a prison sentence of up to 15 years; in Belgium they face from 5 to 10 years in prison.