A coordinated operation involving 23 EU Member States has led to the seizure of EUR 2.7 million in illicit cash and valuables, marking a significant blow to money laundering and criminal financing networks.
From 12 to 24 November, Europol supported Customs authorities across 23 EU Member States in a large-scale operation targeting money laundering, transnational crime, and terrorism financing. The effort, led by French Customs and involving the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), yielded substantial results in the fight against financial crime.
Major Discoveries in Illicit Cash and Valuables
The operation included over 500 cash movement checks, which uncovered nearly EUR 2.7 million in illicit cash flows. This figure is expected to rise as ongoing prosecutions lead to further discoveries. In addition to cash, authorities seized luxury items, including 18 gold bars valued at over EUR 1.7 million, along with other valuable assets such as jewelry.
The focus of the joint action was to identify cash smuggling activities within EU territories. Throughout the two-week operation, law enforcement inspected over 300 passengers at airports, ports, train stations, and border crossings. They also examined numerous postal purchases as part of their efforts to disrupt illicit financial movements.
Europol’s Role in the Operation
Europol’s European Financial and Economic Crime Centre (EFECC) played a pivotal role by providing operational support to participating authorities. During the action, Europol deployed two financial analysts and a money laundering specialist to assist national agencies in cross-checking and validating intelligence in real time.
This close collaboration between Europol and Customs agencies highlights the effectiveness of pooling resources, expertise, and intelligence to combat transnational criminal threats. Such coordinated efforts have proven essential in disrupting illicit financial flows and dismantling criminal networks operating across Europe.
Building EU Interoperability
As the EU’s central criminal information hub, Europol continues to enhance its operational capabilities and the value of its network. By improving interoperability, Europol connects Member States to a growing pool of partners and information sources, moving beyond information collection to seamless integration.
This operation also underscores Europol’s efforts to work alongside EU agencies, the European Commission, and Member States to implement roadmaps related to travel intelligence and the interoperability of EU systems.
Participating Countries
Authorities from the following EU Member States participated in the operation:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
This successful operation demonstrates the power of international collaboration in addressing financial crimes, ensuring that Europe remains a hostile environment for money laundering and illicit financial activities.
