\r\n\u00a9 2022<\/p>\r\n
Any use of Europol\u2019s logo requires prior written consent.<\/p>\r\n","footer-bottom-second":"
Europol is committed to user privacy. All personal data collected by Europol are processed in accordance with the provisions of Regulation (EU) 2018\/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 45\/2001 and Decision No 1247\/2002\/EC. We will handle all the information received from you confidentially. Confidentiality implies that your personal data will be disclosed only to authorised personnel of Europol. However, it may be necessary for the future investigation to inform the national competent authority concerned about the content of the information received from you and\/or your identity.<\/p>\r\n"},"terms":{"tags":[],"languages":[{"id":362,"title":"Bulgarian"},{"id":579,"title":"Gaelic"},{"id":574,"title":"Icelandic"},{"id":557,"title":"Luxembourgish"},{"id":580,"title":"Macedonian"},{"id":515,"title":"Norwegian"},{"id":516,"title":"Russian"},{"id":517,"title":"Ukranian"},{"id":363,"title":"Spanish"},{"id":364,"title":"Czech"},{"id":365,"title":"Danish"},{"id":366,"title":"German"},{"id":367,"title":"Estonian"},{"id":368,"title":"Greek"},{"id":369,"title":"English"},{"id":370,"title":"French"},{"id":371,"title":"Irish"},{"id":372,"title":"Italian"},{"id":373,"title":"Latvian"},{"id":374,"title":"Lithuanian"},{"id":375,"title":"Hungarian"},{"id":376,"title":"Maltese"},{"id":377,"title":"Dutch"},{"id":378,"title":"Polish"},{"id":379,"title":"Portuguese"},{"id":380,"title":"Romanian"},{"id":381,"title":"Slovak"},{"id":382,"title":"Slovene"},{"id":383,"title":"Finnish"},{"id":384,"title":"Swedish"},{"id":385,"title":"Croatian"},{"id":386,"title":"Other"}]}},"NodeLoader":{"node":{"id":5266,"type":"news","title":"Italian operation takes down corrupt port workers facilitating \u2018Ndrangheta drug trafficking activities","alias":"\/media-press\/newsroom\/news\/italian-operation-takes-down-corrupt-port-workers-facilitating-\u2018ndrangheta-drug-trafficking-activities","published":1665064975,"navigation":{"previous":"\/media-press\/newsroom\/news\/more-eur-4-million-in-fake-500-euro-bills-seized-in-spain","next":"\/media-press\/newsroom\/news\/innovation-key-issue-world-police-chiefs-meet-europol"},"updated":1676473138,"body":"
Today, some three hundred police officers carried out coordinated raids against the members of this highly professional criminal syndicate linked to the \u2018Ndrangheta. Property searches were carried out in the provinces of Reggio Calabria, Vibo Valentia, Bari, Naples, Rome, Terni, Vicenza, Milan and Novara, resulting so far in 31 arrests and 7 million euros worth of criminal assets being seized. <\/p>\n\n
These arrests follow a complex investigation in which over 4 tonnes of cocaine imported by the criminals have been seized, with an estimated street value exceeding EUR 800 million. <\/p>\n\n
The investigation identified a corrupt customs officer who allegedly altered the outcome of an x-ray scan performed on a container containing 300 kilos of cocaine. He is believed to have received a sum equivalent to 3 % of the value of the illicit cargo for this. <\/p>\n\n
In the framework of intelligence activities underway with Europol, the Italian investigators were also able to identify the other members of this criminal network, structured as follows:<\/p>\n\n
The investigation also made it possible to identify the criminal masterminds responsible for organising the massive importation of cocaine from South America to Calabria, characterised by periodic shipments of two tonnes each. These criminals feature among the suspects arrested today. <\/p>\n\n
Europol\u2019s support was central in the development of the Italian investigation, providing tailored expertise and extensive analysis. Europol developed reliable and crucial intelligence concerning the activities of this criminal network and has been working closely with Italian investigators to bring down the whole network.<\/p>\n\n
The Head of the European Serious and Organised Crime Centre at Europol, Jari Liukku, commented: <\/p>\n\n
\nThis investigation uncovered how the \u2018Ndrangheta is using corruption to enable its criminal activity and undermine law enforcement\u2019s efforts. Europol sees the use of corruption, in the private or the public sector, as a major enabler of organised crime. In this particular investigation we are very pleased to have joined forces with the Italian Guardia di Finanza to support them in fighting large-scale drug trafficking as well as corruption at an EU entry point. In this regard this investigation sets an example.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
This investigation was supported by the EU-funded Project ISF4@ON, an Italian-led initiative to tackle mafia-type organised crime groups active in Europe.
\n <\/p>\n\n