Photo: The Independent
A successful joint operation by the Italian and Dutch police has led to the closure of an international cocaine smuggling channel from the Netherlands to the Italian island of Sardinia. This was reported by the European Agency for Justice (Eurojust).
The investigation, which lasted more than four years, revealed that an eight-member criminal group organised the supply of cocaine from the Netherlands. The drugs were transported in specially converted vehicles that arrived in southern Sardinia, where they were sold to local dealers.
As a result of the operation, three people were detained – two in Italy and one in the Netherlands. During the investigation, more than 20 kilograms of pure cocaine were seized and three couriers were arrested.
In addition to the drugs, law enforcement officers confiscated significant material assets: in Italy, €3 million in cash, 90 properties, bank accounts and vehicles. In the Netherlands, funds worth €600,000 belonging to one of the suspects were frozen.
Eurojust played a key role in the international coordination, ensuring the execution of four European investigation orders, which helped to collect evidence and synchronise the actions of investigators in the two countries.
