Criminal networks are infiltrating legal businesses throughout the European Union, relying extensively on corruption to expand their operations. This grim reality is revealed in a report released by the EU crime agency on Friday.
Europol has identified 821 criminal networks that pose a significant threat, and these networks have a collective membership of over 25,000 individuals within the European Union.
The agency reports that 86% of these networks possess the capability to infiltrate the legal economy in order to conceal their operations and launder their illicit gains.
Europol provided an example of a gang leader who was an Italian businessman with Argentinian roots living in Marbella, Spain. This individual had a specific focus on drug trafficking and money laundering and was involved in the management of various enterprises. One of his businesses was an import company that brought bananas from Ecuador to the European Union. Additionally, he owned sports centers in Marbella, commercial centers in Granada, and multiple bars and restaurants.
In recent months, there have been several instances of massive drug hauls concealed in banana shipments across Europe. One notable case took place in February when British authorities discovered an astonishing 12,500 pounds of cocaine hidden within a shipment of bananas. This seizure shattered the previous record for the largest single seizure of hard drugs in the country. Another incident occurred in August of last year, where customs agents in the Netherlands seized a staggering 17,600 pounds of cocaine concealed inside crates of bananas at Rotterdam’s port. Similarly, three months prior to that, a police dog detected 3 tons of cocaine hidden within a case of bananas at the Italian port of Gioia Tauro.
Europol also mentions the involvement of families from Italy’s ‘Ndrangheta organized crime syndicate, which is known to be one of the most influential and affluent drug-trafficking groups globally. According to Europol, the syndicate utilizes the profits acquired from drug and arms trafficking, as well as tax evasion, to invest in various commercial ventures such as real estate, supermarkets, and hotels across Europe.
According to the report, these networks have a borderless structure, with members from 112 different nationalities.
Europol has stated that most organizations tend to have a strong geographical focus when it comes to their core activities. They do not typically expand their core activities too extensively.
According to the report, drug trafficking is emerging as the dominant criminal activity in Europe, as evidenced by the rising number of cocaine seizures and the growing prevalence of drug-related violent crime in countries like Belgium and France. The report highlights that half of the most dangerous criminal networks are engaged in drug trafficking, either as their primary focus or as part of a broader portfolio of illicit activities.
According to the report, over 70% of networks participate in corruption to either aid criminal activities or hinder law enforcement and legal proceedings. Additionally, the report states that 68% of networks rely on violence and intimidation as a fundamental aspect of their operations.
In Belgium, gang violence has been rampant in the port city of Antwerp for years, making it the main gateway for Latin American cocaine cartels into the continent. According to reports, Belgian authorities announced in January that they had seized a record amount of cocaine at the port of Antwerp in the previous year.
Drug use is increasing nationwide, and federal authorities are concerned about the rapid infiltration of drug trafficking into society.
According to Ylva Johansson, the European commissioner for Home Affairs, organized crime poses a significant threat to our society, characterized by corruption and extreme violence.
Europol announced that it will share the data with law enforcement agencies in EU member countries, aiming to improve the targeting of criminals.
