According to PANews, Europol, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies from six countries, has successfully dismantled a large-scale drug trafficking network that utilized cryptocurrency for money laundering. The operation led to the arrest of nine suspects and the seizure of gold, luxury goods, €35,000 in cash, and €25 million (approximately $26.23 million) in cryptocurrency, totaling a value of €27.2 million.
The network operated through an underground banking system controlled from Dubai, with financial transactions involving cryptocurrency. The coordinated action took place on November 4, 2024, in Malaga, Spain, targeting key members associated with criminal networks in Albania and southern Spain.