Europol supports dismantlement of high-risk drug trafficking network

Name: Operational Task Force WARMIA
Crime Area: Production, trafficking, and distribution of cannabis, cocaine, and heroin; money laundering
Action day: 28 March 2023
Participating countries: Poland and Spain
Authorities involved: Polish Central Bureau of Investigation (Centralne Biuro Śledcze Policji), Polish National Public Prosecutor's Office (Prokuratura Krajowa), and the Spanish Guardia Civil

Modus operandi: A high-risk criminal network consisting of different organised crime groups responsible for smuggling drugs from Morocco and South America and setting up a wholesale distribution network has been disrupted. The criminal network had a long history of operating across multiple EU jurisdictions, with its main operations in Poland, Spain, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. The network used lorries to transport large quantities of drugs for further distribution in other countries. Polish citizens residing in Spain or working as drivers in Polish transport companies were the main actors. Among the detainees is a man suspected of organising the smuggling of 3.2 tons of cocaine in 2020. The cocaine was found in barrels containing frozen pineapple pulp.

Europol’s contribution: Europol supported this investigation by delivering extensive analytical support, the establishment of an Operational Task Force, organising operational meetings and providing operational coordination between the involved Member States. It delivered relevant and valuable intelligence that helped to reveal the network, the role of each member, and the dominant position of the high-value target. Lastly, Europol coordinated the action day against the criminal network and deployed an expert with a mobile office.

For additional information, please reach out to Europol’s Press Office.