24.06.24 – Human trafficking action week: 219 criminals arrested and 1 374 victims identified. Between 3 and 9 June, 39 countries from across the globe participated in the EMPACT joint action days against trafficking in human beings. Led by Austria and co-led by Romania, Europol, Frontex and INTERPOL, the massive operation codenamed ‘GLOBAL CHAIN’ resulted in the arrest of 219 persons and the identification of over 1374 victims, including 153 children. Aimed at disrupting high-risk criminal networks, the action week focused on cases of sexual exploitation, forced criminality and forced begging.
25.06.24 – 42 arrested in Spain for trafficking cannabis and heroin. On 11 and 12 June, Europol supported more than 400 officers from French, Spanish and Turkish law enforcement authorities in dealing a major blow against a Spain-based criminal network. The network was trafficking large amounts of cannabis across Western Europe and is also suspected of trafficking heroin to the EU. The large-scale law enforcement operation led to the arrest of 42 suspects – including the kingpin of the gang, who was in Spain under a false identity. In addition, 28 searches were conducted at several locations in Granada, Málaga and Sevilla, in both residences and drug production facilities. Six indoor marijuana plantations were also dismantled.
26.06.24 – Greek police arrest suspected crime boss sought by Russia. Greece, has arrested a suspected crime boss with the underworld title of “vor v zakone” – or thief in law – wanted by Russia under an Interpol red notice, police officials said on Wednesday. Europe has stepped up its fight against Russian-speaking organised crime groups since the assassination of a clan leader in 2013 in Moscow triggered a power struggle among the crime network. Europol, the EU-wide police liaison agency, says the “vory v zakone” (thieves in law) network is a tightly-structured type of criminal organisation originating in the underworld of the Soviet Union, which fell apart in 1991.
26.06.24 – CoCT urges Capetonians to stand together against organised crime in housing construction sector. The City of Cape Town has urged Capetonians to stand together against organised crime in the housing construction sector. This follows the recent arrest and court appearance of Warren-Lee Dennis, who has been charged with the murder of city housing official Wendy Kloppers. Kloppers was gunned down at the Delft Symphony Way housing project site in February last year, in an apparent case of mistaken identity. She was killed after allegedly being mistaken for a woman who won a construction contract.
29.06.24 – Crackdown on organised crime gifts Istanbul police with luxury supercars. Istanbul police now have some of the world’s most expensive sports cars – spoils of seized assets in a crackdown on international organised crime. It’s part of Ankara’s efforts to escape international scrutiny over money laundering as it seeks global investment.
