The criminal group was highly organised and is suspected of establishing a series of registered companies in Switzerland and the Netherlands to facilitate the cocaine shipments. The established companies masquerading as legitimate trading and import businesses are alleged to have hidden large quantities of cocaine among legitimate goods being imported into Europe.

By creating a network of companies across Europe, authorities also believe the suspects were able to launder the profits of their criminal activities.

Cocaine seizures totalling several tonnes at European ports since 2019 are believed to be linked to the network. Most recently, in August 2026, coordinated action by Swiss authorities and their international partners led to the interception of a shipment in Antwerp, where more than 750 kilograms of cocaine were seized and taken out of circulation.

Eurojust support to joint investigation

A joint investigation team, supported by Eurojust, brought together authorities from Switzerland Czechia, Germany, to coordinate their investigations and allow for the exchange of evidence. With Switzerland outside the EU and the suspected network operating across several European countries, this cooperation helped bridge jurisdictional restrictions, trace cocaine shipments and financial flows, and prepare a coordinated action that led to over 100 searches in premises across Czechia, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland.

Europol has supported the investigation since 2022, facilitating information exchange, providing analytical and financial support, and coordinating operational activity between the countries involved.

Results of the Action Day:

The following measures were carried out as part of the action:

In Switzerland:

• House searches: A total of 84 locations were searched, including 55 in Switzerland .
• Arrests: 41 individuals were provisionally arrested in Switzerland. Pretrial detention was requested for five of them. In addition, three individuals were arrested in other countries.
• Seizures: To date, a total of over 2.3 million Swiss francs, as well as cryptocurrencies worth 50,000 Swiss francs and 15 weapons, have been seized in the participating countries.

In Germany:

• House searches: In total 14 premises were searched, including 2 companies
• Arrests: 5 suspects were temporarily arrested
• Seizures: Approximately EUR 1.3 million in cash, and assets including a gold coin, a firearm, a vehicle, multitude of media, and large volume of accounting

In the Czech Republic:

• House and other searches: In total 4 premises and 3 cars were searched, including 2 companies

• Seizures: Approximately EUR 1 million and CZK 850.000 in cash

  
  The following authorities are involved in the Eurojust supported joint investigation team

  • Switzerland: Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG); Federal Office of Police (fedpol); Thurgau Cantonal Police
  • Czech Republic: Regional Public Prosecutor´s Office in Ústí and Labem; General Directorate of Customs
  • Germany: Public Prosecution Office in Konstanz in cooperation with the involved police authority in Germany