The cross-border cooperation uncovered an international criminal group involved in procuring precursors to produce pseudoephedrine in hidden laboratories set up across the world, including Egypt, for the manufacture of methamphetamine. After the initial production in Egypt, the methamphetamine was smuggled into Czechia by couriers in their luggage on tourist flights. After the drugs were transformed back into their crystalline form, they were distributed in different EU countries through a network of dealers and sold to various consumers, fueling addiction and further criminal activity. To hide their criminal activities, one of the members established a commercial company in Romania as a front.

In 2023 authorities set up a joint investigation team (JIT) at Eurojust that facilitated real-time information sharing and coordination. This allowed authorities to track the flow of illicit substances and communications, and to document evidence for prosecution. The group’s ability to relocate from one country to another and increase the production of methamphetamine posed a challenge, but cooperation in the JIT enabled the authorities to stay one step ahead. Hungary, Poland and other EU Member States supported the investigation by providing crucial evidence based on European Investigation Orders.

Eurojust supported the cooperation and coordination among the national authorities of the affected countries by organising several coordination meetings and participating in the JIT’s activities. Europol has been involved in the investigation since January 2024 playing a key role by providing operational and analytical support to national authorities.

Authorities worked together on 11 November to take action in four countries simultaneously. Eleven suspects were arrested in Czechia and drugs, cash and electronic devices were seized. In Romania one search was conducted. During searches in the Republic of Moldova two laboratories where drugs were produced and then transported were dismantled. Additionally, drugs and two cars with hidden compartments to transport drugs were seized and two suspects were arrested. In Hungary, two suspects were arrested based on European Arrest Warrants. The execution of a European Investigation Order in Hungary also led to the seizure of cash, mobile phones, laptops and precursor chemicals, such as red phosphorus and iodine.

The actions were carried out by the following authorities:

• Czech Republic: Municipal Prosecutor´s Office in Prague; National Antidrug Centre
• Hungary: Chief Prosecution Office of Somogy County; National Bureau of Investigation – Drug Enforcement Office within the Counter Terrorism Center
• Romania: Prosecution Office of the High Court of Cassation and Justice; Directorate for Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism; Iasi Territorial Office; Iași Brigade for Combating Organize Crime Special Actions Service within the Iași County Police Inspectorate
• Republic of Moldova: Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Cases; General Inspectorate of Border Police