18.01.24 – Convicted – the east London money launderer who took payments for small boats crossings. A man who laundered money for people smuggling networks involved in small boats crossings has been found guilty, following a National Crime Agency investigation. Iranian Asghar Gheshalghian, 48, ran an unregistered money services business from an office block in…
Details10.01.24 – Ecuador declares war on armed gangs after TV station attacked on air. Ecuador’s president has ordered that criminal gangs be “neutralised” after days of violence culminated in an attack on a television studio.Masked gunmen broke into public television channel TC’s live studio during a broadcast, forcing staff to the floor. Police made 13…
Details20.12.23 – Why Have Ecuador’s Drug Trafficking Gangs Turned to Extortion? The number of extortion cases recorded in Ecuador has skyrocketed over the past year, suggesting that the country’s fragmenting criminal gangs are seeking new sources of income. Extortion in Ecuador rose by more than 65% between 2022 and November 2023 and by almost 400%…
Details04.12.23 – Mint shop for counterfeit euro coins dismantled in Italy. On 1 December 2023, Europol supported the Italian Carabinieri Corps (Arma dei Carabinieri) in dismantling an organised crime group involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit euro coins. The European Commission’s European Technical and Scientific Centre also supported this investigation, which was coordinated…
Details27.11.23 – 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…
Details20.11.23 – More than 200 convicted in Italy’s maxi-trial involving the ‘ndrangheta crime syndicate. The defendants had been charged with crimes that include drug and arms trafficking, extortion and mafia association, a term in Italy’s penal code for members of organized crime groups. Others were charged with acting in complicity with the ’ndrangheta without actually…
Details13.11.23 – Decline in effectiveness of fincrime systems globally as countries lose trillions to organised crime, corruption – Basel AML Index finds. By Alisha Houlihan for AML Intelligence there has been a continued decline in the effectiveness of AML/CFT systems globally, according to an international report released today. Effectiveness scores dropped from the already low…
Details06.11.23 – Trailer filled with waste and dumped in Walsall suspected to be linked to ‘broader organised crime incident.’An investigation has been launched after a 40ft trailer filled with transfer station waste was found abandoned in Walsall. Walsall Council is now investigating what is has called a ‘major fly-tipping incident’. It is suspected to be…
Details01.11.23 – Prison for drugs gang who attempted to smuggle cocaine worth £11 million in bananas. Four members of an organised crime group have been jailed after attempting to smuggle 139 kilos of cocaine into the UK hidden in a consignment of bananas. National Crime Agency investigators arrested the four as they unloaded a shipping…
Details23.10.23 – Southern Africa’s security hinges on collectively actioning organised crime strategies, clamping down on trafficking. Organised crime in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) seems to be worsening. Porous borders, weak governance and development deficits make the region vulnerable to drug trafficking, arms smuggling, human and wildlife trafficking, and financial crimes. Political instability, weak…
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