Some highlights of our 2025 casework:

Criminal network trafficking drugs throughout Europe since 2019 dismantled

Eurojust supported Slovak, Hungarian, German and Spanish authorities to arrest 22 members of a criminal network suspected of importing drugs from outside the European Union into Europe. The well-organised hierarchical structure of the network made it possible for the group to traffic drugs worth EUR 175 million. Eurojust coordinated the action day from their premise in The Hague and assisted the execution of European Arrest Warrants and European Investigation Orders. During the action day, over EUR 370 000 in cash, an illegal cigarette production line and various drugs were seized. 

Actions against EUR 300 million global credit card fraud 

Three criminal networks that defrauded several million credit card users from 193 countries were rolled up during a large-scale and global operation, coordinated by Eurojust. Between 2016 and 2021 the suspects allegedly stole credit card data, set up fake accounts, concealed payments and laundered their profits. It is estimated that the value of the fraud is at least EUR 300 million. Through Eurojust, coordination between German, Cypriot, Italian, Spanish, Luxembourgish, Dutch, Canadian, Singaporean, UK and US authorities was made possible. The agency also prepared over 90 European Investigation Orders and 30 requests for Mutual Legal Assistance. Simultaneous action by all involved authorities lead to the arrest of 18 suspects, including five executive officials from four German payment providers. 

35 members of criminal group who stole over 7 000 artefacts arrested

After 7 000 cultural artifacts are found during a house raid in Bulgaria, a complex investigation starts to retrieve other missing artifacts and arrest the suspects behind the trafficking. Bulgarian, French, Germany, Greek, Italian and Albanian authorities worked together with Eurojust to arrest 35 members of the criminal network and retrieved 3 00 0 artefacts with an estimated value of EUR 100 million. Among the arrested was a High-Value Target who is suspected of leading the operation. He allegedly financed illegal excavations across Bulgaria and other neighbouring countries and arranged questionable documentation for a few of the artefacts. 

Major human trafficking network rolled up 

A human trafficking network who is suspected to have gained over EUR 1.7 million by trafficking and pimping over 30 vulnerable women has been dismantled following an international operation from Italian and Romanian authorities, supported by Eurojust. Victims were lured into the network using the lover boy method, where the suspects presented themselves as trusted partners and protectors with an extravagant and opulent lifestyle. The members of the group convinced their victims that prostitution was a necessary sacrifice to contribute to the financial well-being of the group. Authorities worked together through a joint investigation team set up at Eurojust and were able to detain 19 suspects and seize fire arms, cash and luxury vehicles.

Individual captured suspected of transmitting state secrets

An individual suspected of disclosing unauthorised disclosure of state secrets to representatives of a higher power was arrested by Romanian, Czech and Hungarian authorities following cooperation coordinated by Eurojust. The suspect previously held a leadership position in the Information and Security Service of the Republic of Moldova and allegedly had two meetings where information was shared that could endanger Romania’s national security. The capture of the individual in Romania demonstrated the importance of international cooperation in investigating such malicious activities.