The 20 individuals arrested during the action week are suspected of setting up an international cocaine and methamphetamine smuggling operation across Europe.

The criminal group operated primarily in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Ukraine, where they systematically imported, exported, transported, stored and distributed methamphetamine and cocaine. The group was well organised, with different units responsible for various aspects of the drug trafficking activities, such as procurement, transport, distribution and managing financial flows.

The drugs were transported from the Czech Republic to Slovakia and Ukraine in passenger vehicles and busses with the members of the group continuously changing their concealment methods, hiding them on bodies, inside children’s toys, household items or other objects.

The group handled at least 50 kilograms of methamphetamine and 2 kilograms of cocaine, with the methamphetamine proceeds running close to EUR 950 000. Their illicit profits were laundered through bank accounts held by individuals outside the criminal group.

After investigations into the network began in July 2025, authorities from the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Ukraine soon began working together. Through a joint investigation team set up under Eurojust’s coordination, they ensured that the investigation progressed and that information was shared in real time.

Throughout the investigation, Europol facilitated operational cooperation between the participating countries by organising coordination meetings and supporting those held under Eurojust's coordination. Europol supported the secure communication during the action day and enabled the secure exchange of operational information during the action day and provided analytical support and cross-checks to help investigators map the criminal network and identify its members.

The action day which took place on 18 June 2026, ensured that essential evidence was gathered and that key members of the network were arrested in three countries. In the Czech Republic, four individuals were detained, three of whom are in pre-trial detention. Searches of homes and vehicles yielded the seizure of approximately 1.8 kilograms of methamphetamine, a rifle, counterfeit documents, EUR 8 000 cash and a luxury vehicle.

Meanwhile, in Slovakia, 24 locations were searched, including houses. During these searches, authorities seized drugs, cars, firearms, electronic devices, signal jammers and devices for opening cars. Eight suspects were arrested, five of whom remain in custody, including the alleged ringleader in Slovakia who is accused of the series crime of unauthorised production and trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

Ukrainian authorities detained eight members of the group and carried out over 80 searches where they seized drones, fire arms and ammunition, equipment used to operate a bot farm, approximately 30 kilogrammes of gold and silver jewellery, cash and electronic devices. The suspects are currently in custody.

The actions were carried out by the following authorities:

• Czech Republic: Municipal Public Prosecutor´s Office in Prague; National Drug Headquarters of the Czech Criminal Police and Investigation Service
• Slovakia: Regional Prosecutor´s Office in Košice; National Drug Enforcement Unit of the Presidium of Police Corps
• Ukraine: Zakarpattia Regional Prosecutor's Office; Department of National Police of Zakarpattia Region; Department for Combating Drug-Related Crime of National Police of Ukraine; Western Regional Directorate of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.