The Hague, 7 July 2026
A coordinated law enforcement operation involving the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Ukraine has dealt a major blow to an international drug trafficking network, resulting in the arrest of 20 suspects. The investigation was supported by Eurojust and Europol, whose coordination enabled authorities to dismantle a sophisticated criminal organisation involved in cocaine and methamphetamine trafficking across Europe.
The criminal group operated primarily in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Ukraine, overseeing the import, transport, storage and distribution of narcotics. Investigators found that the organisation was highly structured, with specialised units responsible for procurement, transportation, distribution and money laundering.
Drugs were smuggled from the Czech Republic into Slovakia and Ukraine using passenger cars and buses. To avoid detection, traffickers concealed narcotics in increasingly sophisticated ways, including inside children’s toys, household items and on their bodies.
Authorities estimate that the network trafficked at least 50 kilograms of methamphetamine and 2 kilograms of cocaine, generating nearly EUR 950,000 from methamphetamine sales alone. The proceeds were laundered through bank accounts held by individuals outside the criminal organisation.
The investigation began in July 2025 and quickly developed into close judicial cooperation between the three countries. A Joint Investigation Team (JIT), established under Eurojust’s coordination, facilitated the real-time exchange of information and coordinated investigative measures. Europol provided operational and analytical support throughout the investigation, including secure communications during the action day and intelligence analysis to identify members of the network.
The coordinated enforcement action took place on 18 June 2026.
In the Czech Republic, authorities arrested four suspects, three of whom remain in pre-trial detention. Investigators seized approximately 1.8 kilograms of methamphetamine, a rifle, counterfeit documents, EUR 8,000 in cash and a luxury vehicle.
In Slovakia, police searched 24 locations and arrested eight suspects, including the alleged national ringleader. Five suspects remain in custody. The searches resulted in the seizure of drugs, vehicles, firearms, electronic equipment, signal jammers and devices used to break into vehicles.
In Ukraine, authorities arrested eight suspects and carried out more than 80 searches. Officers confiscated drones, firearms and ammunition, equipment used to operate a bot farm, approximately 30 kilograms of gold and silver jewellery, cash and electronic devices. All suspects remain in custody.
The operation involved prosecutors and specialised law enforcement agencies from all three participating countries, demonstrating the effectiveness of cross-border judicial cooperation in combating organised crime and international drug trafficking.
