27.11.23 – Suspected ringleader arrested in EUR 85 million VAT fraud scheme. Europol has supported an action across eight countries which targeted criminal groups under investigation for VAT fraud amounting to EUR 85 million. On 22 November, 59 searches were carried out, resulting in the arrest of one of the alleged ringleaders. Seizures included: a total of 1 800 AirPods; cash and two luxury cars (a Lamborghini and a Porsche), worth a collective EUR 550 000; a luxury watch, worth EUR 907 000; a jammer – used to scramble communications and to avoid detection by the Police – was also confiscated.
28.11.23 – Senegalese navy seizes nearly 3 tonnes of cocaine from ship. A Senegalese navy patrol boat has seized nearly 3 tonnes of pure cocaine from a vessel it intercepted 150 km (93.21 miles) off the coast on Tuesday, the navy said in statement. It said the boat and its cargo had been escorted to the Admiral Faye Gassama Naval Base in the capital Dakar and handed over to the relevant authorities.
29.11.23 – Suspected organised crime group members arrested on suspicion of attempting to smuggle 1.3 tonnes of cocaine worth £140m – after container full discovered in Felixstowe. Several suspected members of an organised crime group have been arrested on suspicion of trying to smuggle £140m worth of cocaine. Last August, 1.3 tonnes of the Class A drug were discovered in a shipping container at the Port of Felixstowe, which arrived from Sierra Leone. The drugs, which had a street value of £140m, were hidden in 20kg sacks.
30.11.23 – 566 arrests in week of coordinated actions in Southern Europe. Between 13 and 18 November 2023, law enforcement authorities across Europe joined forces to target firearms trafficking, drug trafficking, migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings, and high-risk criminal networks during coordinated EMPACT Joint Action Days South East Europe (EMPACT JAD SEE). In total, 26 countries across Europe, supported by Europol, Eurojust, Frontex, INTERPOL and a number of international structures*, took part in these large-scale coordinated operational activities.
02.12.23 – India geolocates 184 fugitives abroad as 91st Interpol calls for action against transnational organised crime. India has geolocated 184 criminals abroad and sought cooperation from countries, including US and UK, to bring them back after having initiated formal proceedings against these fugitives, a media agency said quoting a spokesperson of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
