Europol Report Reveals Insights into Europe’s Most Threatening Criminal Networks
Europol, based in The Hague, the Netherlands, recently published a comprehensive report identifying 821 criminal networks that pose the greatest threat to the continent. The report delves into the inner workings of these gangs, involved in activities ranging from drug smuggling to human trafficking.
Strategy of Criminal Networks
The report highlights the strategy of criminal networks to infiltrate the legal business world. They use legal business structures as a means to commit crimes, disguise criminal activities, and launder illicit profits. Currently, 86% of Europe’s most threatening criminal groups utilize legal business structures, with sectors like construction, property, hospitality, and logistics being the most targeted.
Money Laundering and Criminal Activities
Real estate is a favored avenue for criminal gangs to launder their proceeds, often involving lawyers and financial experts who may be unaware of the illegal origins of the assets. Nightclubs are also commonly used for drug trafficking, extortion, and other illicit activities.
Focus on Drug Smuggling
The majority of Europe’s dangerous gangs focus on drug smuggling, including cocaine, cannabis, heroin, and synthetic drugs. Operations are predominantly located in countries such as Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain.
Logistics and Corruption
In logistics, criminal networks target private sector workers in Europe’s large ports for corruption, aiming to gain unrestricted access to port systems and data.
Global Coordination and Dubai
The report highlights Dubai as a remote coordination hub for high-level members and criminal actors. While Dubai is not considered a safe haven for criminal leaders, it serves as a center for coordinating criminal activities and evading law enforcement detection.
Longevity of Criminal Networks
Many of the identified criminal networks have been operating for years, with some continuing their activities even from within prison. Europol emphasizes the need for sustained law enforcement focus on these long-standing criminal groups, despite previous actions taken against them.
