The Hague, 6 July 2026
French and Italian authorities, working in close cooperation with Kosovar authorities and supported by Eurojust and Europol, have seized an additional EUR 1 million in criminal assets as part of an ongoing investigation into an international money laundering network linked to drug trafficking.
The latest operation follows an earlier enforcement action in September 2025 during which authorities confiscated more than EUR 30 million in criminal assets.
Investigators uncovered a sophisticated scheme in which proceeds from drug trafficking in France were transported to Italy, where they were converted into gold bars and gold sheets to conceal their illicit origin. The gold was then moved to other countries, particularly Kosovo*, Türkiye and Morocco. During the ten-month investigation, authorities established that at least EUR 18 million had been laundered.
The investigation centres on a couple residing in Italy who are suspected of orchestrating the laundering operation. They were arrested in France in September 2025 after officers discovered more than 50 kilograms of gold bars hidden in a specially constructed compartment inside a vehicle.
Analysis of evidence seized during the investigation, together with intelligence provided by Kosovar authorities, led investigators to identify additional bank accounts, business interests, real estate and luxury vehicles linked to the suspects, resulting in the latest asset seizures.
Eurojust has supported the investigation since December 2024 by establishing a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) between France and Italy and coordinating the operational actions carried out in September 2025 and June 2026.
Europol provided operational support throughout the investigation, facilitating information exchange, conducting financial and operational analysis, and deploying specialists in money laundering and asset tracing. During the latest action day, Europol sent a financial analyst and a money laundering expert with a mobile office to Kosovo* to assist investigators on the ground.
The operation was supported through the EU Home Affairs Programme (HAPE) and the EU-funded @ON Network, led by Italy’s Anti-Mafia Investigation Directorate (DIA).
The investigation involved judicial and law enforcement authorities from France, Italy and Kosovo*, underscoring the importance of cross-border cooperation in disrupting organised crime and recovering illicit assets.
