The Hague, 31 August 2026
Cooperation on a complex international criminal investigation has led to the interception of drug shipments worth an estimated EUR 25 million and the arrest of seven suspected members of a drug trafficking network in Romania. The network provided drug transportation services to other criminal groups as a form of “crime as a service”. Eurojust coordinated judicial cooperation between the authorities involved at various stages of the investigation.
On 24 August, Romanian authorities searched 16 premises across the country, collecting evidence indicating that the network had been operating since September 2023. Organised in a pyramid structure, the group generated significant profits by providing drug transportation services to other criminal organisations.
The network transported large quantities of drugs from Spain to destinations across Europe, using trucks equipped with concealed compartments. To conceal the proceeds of their criminal activities, the suspects allegedly established legitimate companies as fronts.
The group also provided legal assistance to truck drivers arrested while transporting drugs and attempted to gain access to the relevant criminal case files, reportedly to prevent investigators from establishing links to the network’s leadership.
When Romanian authorities began investigating the network, they cooperated with counterparts in France, Germany, Italy and Spain through Eurojust to intercept drug shipments. Four shipments containing 114 kilograms of cocaine, 228 kilograms of cannabis and 1,300 kilograms of hashish were intercepted. The drugs had an estimated market value of approximately EUR 25 million.
Romanian authorities also worked with their French counterparts through Eurojust to obtain evidence from the encrypted communications platform Sky ECC. The messages can now be used in subsequent criminal proceedings.
The evidence collected during the 24 August operation will be analysed as the investigation continues. Seven suspects were arrested during the action, including a Europol high-value target. All seven are currently in custody.
The operation involved the following authorities:
- Romania: Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) – Central Structure, Section for Fighting Drug Trafficking; Financial Investigation Service for Organized Crime Groups within the Directorate for Combating Organized Crime; Special Interventions and Actions Service of the General Inspectorate of the Romanian Police.
- France: Public Prosecution Office of Perpignan; Public Prosecution Office of Paris (PNACO).
- Germany: Public Prosecution Office of Heidelberg.
- Italy: Public Prosecutor’s Office of Bologna.
- Spain: Public Prosecution Office of Tarragona; Public Prosecution Office of Málaga.
