Europol’s shocking research shows criminal networks infiltrating legal enterprises across the 27-nation union. The Friday study lists 821 EU-based criminal networks with over 25,000 members as extremely dangerous.
Europol estimates that 86% of these networks can join the legal economy to hide their crimes and launder money. In the study, an Italian-Argentinian businessman in Marbella stands out. This drug trafficker and money launderer runs sports facilities, commercial centers, clubs, and restaurants, as well as a banana importer from Ecuador to the EU.
Family members of Italy’s ‘Ndrangheta organized criminal gang, known for drug trafficking, have also been identified. Their gains from drug and arms trafficking and tax evasion are invested in European real estate, supermarkets, hotels, and other businesses, according to the investigation.
Members from 112 countries demonstrate the borderlessness of these criminal networks. The paper underlines that most of these networks have significant geographical foci for their fundamental operations, despite their different beginnings.
EU officials prioritize drug trafficking and corruption, with half of the criminal networks focusing on drug trafficking. More than 70% of these networks use corruption to commit crimes, while almost 68% use violence and intimidation.
In reaction to these results, European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson called organized crime one of society’s worst concerns, citing its corruption and excessive brutality. Europol will share this data with EU law enforcement organizations to better target and combat crime.
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