The OCG distributed illicit drugs, which were imported from countries outside the European Union, including Panama and the Dominican Republic. It operated in a well-organised and hierarchical structure, with several levels of management. The network operated across Europe, but mainly in the Slovak Republic, Hungary and Spain. In addition to illicit drug trafficking, the network was apparently also involved in the illegal tobacco and cigarette trade.

The criminal group had set up a series of legitimate companies that traded and transported legitimate goods. The drugs were transported together with these other goods in order to conceal them. It is estimated that the OCG trafficked drugs worth at least EUR 175 million.

According to the Slovak and Hungarian authorities leading the investigations and prosecution of the case, drug distribution has been going on since at least 2019. In 2024, the authorities in the Slovak Republic and Hungary bundled their investigative efforts and set up the JIT this year with the support of Eurojust.

The investigations also revealed links to Spain, where the alleged leader of the trafficking network resided, Germany, Panama and the Dominican Republic. Last year already, 2 275 kilos of cocaine linked to the OCG were seized in the Dominican Republic.

In the coordinated operation earlier this week, 22 suspects were arrested and 45 places were searched in the Slovak Republic, Hungary, Germany and Spain. Eurojust set up a coordination centre at its premises to assist this joint action day, with the support of the National Members for the Slovak Republic and Hungary. The Agency also assisted with the execution of European Arrest Warrants and European Investigation Orders (EIOs).

Europol supported the investigation by providing operational and coordination assistance, as well as conducting information analysis that proved crucial to the success of the operation. On the action day, Europol deployed a specialist to the field to provide on-the-ground support. The specialist offered mobile office capabilities to facilitate real-time information exchange between authorities and assisted in the collection and processing of evidence.

During the action day in the Slovak Republic, over EUR 370 000 in cash, an illegal cigarette production line, various drugs, mobile phones and other communication tools, as well as business documents were seized. In Hungary, business documents and mobile equipment were also seized, as well as illicit drugs and company stamps. The execution of an EIO in Spain led to the seizure of laptops, mobile equipment and various documents related to companies and banks.

During the joint action day, nearly 580 law enforcement officers were deployed across all countries involved.

The actions were carried out at the request of and by the following authorities:

• Slovak Republic: Regional Public Prosecutor’s Office (PPO) Nitra; National Drug Enforcement Unit of Slovakia: Fugitive active search team Slovakia
• Hungary: Chief Prosecution Office of Bács-Kiskun County; National Bureau of Investigation – Drug Enforcement Office
• Germany: Fugitive active search team Germany
• Spain: Investigative Court no. 4 Alicante; Organic Unit of Civil Guard’s Judicial Police, Assigned Unit to the Provincial Court