Ascultă Radio România Actualitaţi Live

One of Europe’s most prolific crime groups - dismantled

Operation, code-named ‘Icebreaker’, was coordinated at international level by Europol and Eurojust.

One of Europe’s most prolific crime groups - dismantled

Articol de Sergiu Şteţ, 22 Mai 2019, 17:03

A highly professional and dangerous international organised crime group was dismantled last week after a complex investigation carried out in the framework of a Joint Operational Task Force, established at Europol.

Operation, code-named ‘Icebreaker’ – coordinated at international level by Europol and Eurojust - is the biggest of its kind to date in Europe against such an organised crime group, comprising nationals of Lithuania and other EU countries, involved in large-scale drug and cigarette trafficking, assassinations and money laundering.

Over 450 police and customs officers, including special interventions units, in Poland, Lithuania, the United Kingdom and Spain carried out coordinated raids targeting the members of this long term existing, highly professional and dangerous criminal network in the early hours of 15 and 16 May with the support of Europol and Eurojust.

As a result, the suspected ringleader – a 48 year old Lithuanian national, was arrested in Spain. A further 21 suspects were detained in Poland, Lithuania, Spain and the United Kingdom. 40 house searches took place, resulting in the seizure of €8 million in cash, diamonds, gold bars, jewellery and luxury vehicles, as well as the discovery of hidden compartments used to smuggle drugs and psychotropic substances. A substantial quantity of illicit cigarettes was also seized.

It is believed that these criminals acquired an estimated €680 million as a result of their criminal activities for the period 2017-2019 alone. This criminal group would traffic drugs and cigarettes into the UK, before smuggling the illegally obtained cash to Poland by different means. The money was then laundered via currency exchange offices and subsequently invested in real estate in Spain and other countries.

Source:Europol Newsroom

A first in the last 50 years: Controlled emptying of the Vidraru reservoir begins
News in English 31 Iulie 2025, 18:52

A first in the last 50 years: Controlled emptying of the Vidraru reservoir begins

Friday marks the start of the first stage of the controlled emptying of the Vidraru reservoir, with an estimated completion...

A first in the last 50 years: Controlled emptying of the Vidraru reservoir begins
Nicusor Dan: 70% of magistrates do not comply with legal retirement deadlines
News in English 31 Iulie 2025, 02:08

Nicusor Dan: 70% of magistrates do not comply with legal retirement deadlines

Current legislation and the amount of pensions in the judiciary encourage people to leave the system early, said President...

Nicusor Dan: 70% of magistrates do not comply with legal retirement deadlines
Coalition decides future of funding for projects in the “Anghel Saligny” program
News in English 31 Iulie 2025, 02:07

Coalition decides future of funding for projects in the “Anghel Saligny” program

On Wednesday, coalition leaders met at Victoria Palace to discuss how to continue funding projects in the “Anghel...

Coalition decides future of funding for projects in the “Anghel Saligny” program
The delayed launch of the Rabla programs has drastically reduced new car registrations
News in English 31 Iulie 2025, 02:05

The delayed launch of the Rabla programs has drastically reduced new car registrations

The repeated postponement of the start of the Rabla and Rabla Plus programs has led to a decrease in the number of new...

The delayed launch of the Rabla programs has drastically reduced new car registrations
40 Romanian firefighters on mission in Greece
News in English 31 Iulie 2025, 02:04

40 Romanian firefighters on mission in Greece

Romania will send 40 firefighters and specialized equipment to Greece to limit the risks posed by forest fires. Among the...

40 Romanian firefighters on mission in Greece
Ilie Bolojan: Romania has an urgent need to clarify how magistrates retire
News in English 29 Iulie 2025, 17:27

Ilie Bolojan: Romania has an urgent need to clarify how magistrates retire

Romania has an urgent need to clarify how magistrates retire, more specifically, the retirement age and the value of...

Ilie Bolojan: Romania has an urgent need to clarify how magistrates retire
Campaign to spread false information online
News in English 29 Iulie 2025, 17:26

Campaign to spread false information online

The Ministry of Internal Affairs has reported the existence of an online campaign spreading false information, claiming that...

Campaign to spread false information online
Criminal investigation opened into Danube Delta accident
News in English 29 Iulie 2025, 17:25

Criminal investigation opened into Danube Delta accident

A criminal investigation has been opened into Monday evening's accident in the Danube Delta, in which four people,...

Criminal investigation opened into Danube Delta accident