Law enforcement authorities across Europe and South America continue to put sustained pressure on the criminal networks responsible for moving cocaine into Europe. Three recent actions coordinated by Europol, one targeting a Dutch-led network embedded in Colombian supply chains, another dismantling a Brazilian maritime trafficking operation and a third disrupting a Greek at-sea transfer criminal operation, highlight the ongoing efforts to disrupt the routes and structures used by organised crime.
Dutch suspect coordinated imports from Colombia
The first investigation focused on a Dutch suspect who had direct access to high-level traffickers and facilitators in Colombia. Based in Ibiza, Spain, and while travelling frequently to the Netherlands and other European countries, the 56-year-old is believed to have worked with his two sons to organise sizeable cocaine shipments destined for Europe.
Information on the case first surfaced on the Sky ECC platform and was further developed by the Dutch Police together with Europol and the Spanish Guardia Civil. Through surveillance, intelligence analysis and wire-taps, investigators identified ongoing attempts to coordinate new shipments. The network was linked to six intercepted cocaine consignments seized in the United Kingdom, Spain and the Netherlands.
On 2 December 2025, the 56-year-old was arrested in Ibiza, Spain, and his 31-year-old and 23-year-old sons were arrested in The Hague and Haarlem, the Netherlands, bringing this phase of the investigation to a close.
Brazilian organisers used fishing vessels to ship multi-tonne loads
In the second investigation, authorities in Brazil, Portugal, Spain and several other European countries worked together to disrupt a Brazilian organised crime group responsible for moving multi-tonne loads of cocaine to Europe by sea. Two high-value Brazilian targets are believed to have coordinated the operation with the support of associates based across Europe.
The group operated from the southern region of Bahia, Brazil, where it sourced vessels, trained crews and modified fishing boats for concealment. Coastal hubs in Alcobaça, Prado and Porto Seguro served as departure points, while West Africa was used as a staging area for onward movement to Europe. The network maintained links with criminal groups positioned to receive the shipments upon entry into European waters.
In November 2024, the Portuguese authorities, in close collaboration with the Brazilian Federal Police and the Cape Verdean authorities, intercepted a Brazilian-flagged fishing vessel west of Cape Verde. Officers seized 1.6 tonnes of cocaine on board and arrested six crew members as part of this phase of the investigation.
In September 2025, investigators dismantled the branch of the network responsible for receiving these cocaine shipments in Europe. Action in Spain led to the arrest of 37 suspects, including the key figure managing the group’s logistical infrastructure.
On 11 December 2025, a coordinated operation in Brazil resulted in eight additional arrests, including two high-value targets linked to the organisation of the maritime shipments. Four locations were searched in Portugal, and assets worth more than EUR 1.5 million were seized in Brazil.
Taken together, these three actions disrupted the network’s entire chain: from the organisers in Brazil to the logistics of maritime transport and the receivers operating in Europe.
Greek criminal network engaged in at-sea transfer method
The third operation targeted a Greek criminal network involved in large-scale cocaine trafficking using the at-sea transfer method. The group deployed a fishing vessel that departed from Greece to pick up a large shipment from Latin America, travelling via West Africa before crossing the Atlantic Ocean. The vessel did not transmit its position since departure, making it very difficult to monitor.
In total, 10 suspects were arrested on 14 December: five crew members at sea and five suspects in Greece, including one High Value Target. The vessel was intercepted and is being transported by the French Navy to Martinique for further searches.
This operation was carried out through close cooperation between international partners. At the request of the Greek authorities, Europol supported the investigation by facilitating information exchange on the suspects operating across borders, providing analytical support and coordinating operational meetings. Europol worked in close cooperation with Frontex, which provided monitoring services for the vessel, and MAOC-(N), which supported the monitoring and coordination of the intervention at sea.
Ongoing international cooperation
All these three cases were supported by Europol, which provided a central platform for information exchange, analytical support and coordination between all participating countries. Throughout the two investigations, Europol facilitated the flow of intelligence between the countries involved, ensuring that investigators on all sides had timely access to the material needed to prepare the actions.
Europol carried out extensive cross-checks of operational information, helping identify links between the different suspects, and supplied intelligence that assisted national authorities in locating key targets. Europol also convened several operational meetings where the countries involved aligned investigative efforts.
These coordinated actions form part of wider, sustained efforts to counter the criminal groups driving cocaine trafficking into Europe. Europol and its international partners will continue to prioritise the disruption of supply chains and the arrest of those directing and facilitating them.
Empact
The European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT) tackles the most important threats posed by organised and serious international crime affecting the EU. EMPACT strengthens intelligence, strategic and operational cooperation between national authorities, EU institutions and bodies, and international partners. EMPACT runs in four-year cycles focusing on common EU crime priorities.
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