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Global police dismantle drug trafficking and money laundering networks across Europe and South America

Global police dismantle drug trafficking and money laundering networks across Europe and South America
29 articles·24 sources·updated about 2 hours ago·View in graph
crimesouth americaunited states of americaitaly
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A coordinated global operation has dismantled major drug trafficking and money laundering networks spanning Europe and South America, with arrests and seizures reported in multiple countries.

In Spain, the National Police, supported by Europol, arrested 15 suspects on July 22, 2026, as part of an investigation targeting underground bankers linked to drug trafficking and money laundering. Authorities also issued 19 international arrest warrants, with 21 suspects now facing charges including participation in a criminal organization .

Separately, Europol assisted Italian and Brazilian law enforcement in Operation EREDITÀ, which led to seven arrests in Brazil. The operation targeted a cocaine pipeline between South America and Europe, tied to the Italian Ndrangheta, and builds on prior operations SAMBA and MAFIUSI, which had previously resulted in 28 arrests across both regions .

In Ecuador, police seized over 1.5 tons of cocaine from an underground hideout near Manta, using explosives to access the site. The haul included 1,353 cocaine packages concealed in 55 jute bags, with an estimated value of over €55.7 million, according to Interior Minister John Reimberg .

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Articles

The fugitive leader of the Kinahan cartel, has ordered to leave the United Arab Emirates, where he has been in hiding for more than a decade, by September 29

The fugitive leader of the Kinahan cartel, has ordered to leave the United Arab Emirates, where he has been in hiding for more than a decade, by September 29

bluesky_The Times · about 3 hours ago

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klix · about 3 hours ago

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wprost · about 3 hours ago

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Drug trafficking investigation leads to some of the worlds biggest underground bankers The investigation, led by the Spanish National Police (Policía Nacional) and supported by Europol, has resulted in the arrest of 21 suspects for offences including participation in a criminal organisation, drug trafficking and money laundering.An action day carried out in Spain on 22 July 2026 resulted in the arrest of 15 suspects. Spanish authorities also issued 19 international arrest warrants...

europol · about 3 hours ago

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europol · about 3 hours ago

Live From Europe

Seven arrests in Brazil during crackdown on South America-Europe cocaine pipeline Europol has supported law enforcement agencies from Italy and Brazil in dismantling a major drug trafficking and money laundering network linked to the Italian Ndrangheta. The operation, code-named operation EREDITÀ, led to seven arrests and is the culmination of a multi-year investigation into large-scale cocaine trafficking and money laundering between South America and Europe. This success builds on previous Italian and Brazilian operations SAMBA and MAFIUSI, which led to 28 arrests across both countries.

europol · about 3 hours ago

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europol · about 3 hours ago

Live From Europe

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thejournal · about 3 hours ago

Latest: Christy Kinahan, founder of the transnational organised crime group the Kinahan cartel, has had his UAE visa cancelled, Bellingcat and The Sunday Times can reveal.  The visa was cancelled only weeks after the extradition of his eldest son Daniel Kinahan from Dubai to Ireland, where he is charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation. Christy and his two sons are the subject of US sanctions and have $5 million bounties on their heads.

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bluesky_The Economist · about 4 hours ago

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