Europol Highlights Most Dangerous Criminal Networks in EU

Europol has released a comprehensive report indicating that 821 dangerous criminal organizations, with an estimated 25,000 members from 112 different nationalities, are currently active within the European Union. These networks engage in a spectrum of illicit activities, including drug trafficking, human smuggling, labor and sexual exploitation, with significant involvement noted from Western Balkan countries, as well as Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, and Ukraine. High-level EU officials have expressed concern over the extent of these operations and their capacity to corrupt judicial and law enforcement entities.

The report also underscores the depth of criminal infiltration into legitimate businesses, with 86% of these networks using legal economic activities as fronts for money laundering and concealing their criminal undertakings. The activities of Italian 'Ndrangheta families were particularly highlighted, who invest their proceeds from drug and arms trafficking, as well as tax fraud, into various sectors across Europe, including real estate and hospitality. To address these threats, the data compiled by Europol will be disseminated among law enforcement agencies across EU member states to enhance efforts in targeting and dismantling these criminal enterprises.