A coordinated operation involving authorities from Belgium, the Netherlands and the UK led to the arrest of seven suspects involved in the trafficking of drugs into Europe.
Europol announced the results of the operation on Thursday, which was conducted on Tuesday 15 July.
The investigation led to seizure of 600 kg of drugs, including 225 kg of ketamine. Ketamine was the most trafficked drug by the gang, although the perpetrators also smuggled cocaine, heroin, crystal meth, MDMA and precursors for drug manufacture.
After months of investigation, authorities had untangled the criminal network months, carrying out several operations against some of its members.
Law enforcement conducted 11 house searches (9 in Belgium, 1 in the UK and 1 in the Netherlands). Overall, the operations led to seized €5 million, 7 arrests and seizure of more than 600 kg of drugs, including ketamine, amphetamines, cannabis, heroin and cocaine.
On the action day, two specialists were deployed to Belgium and the UK to provide their expertise in the field and ensure close coordination.
The perpetrators operated not only within Western Europe, but were spread across multiple regions around the world. They used a variety of sophisticated methods to traffic drugs through Europe without detection, including trucks with drugs hidden in deck cargo and mail packages, which were intercepted in Belgium.
Belgium's Federal Judicial Police of East Flanders, IRC Netherlands and the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) were involved in the joint operation.
Europol identifies drug trafficking as one of the key threats to the EU’s internal security.
