Drug Trafficking News: Global Arrests & Major Seizures

Heroin kingpin arrested after 703 kilos of heroin found in soap shipment

An international law enforcement operation supported by Europol has led to the arrest of a suspected heroin trafficker running a criminal network stretching from Iran to Western Europe. The investigation was led by the German authorities with the support of the Netherlands and Europol. Over the past few months, the authorities involved joined forces within the framework of an Operational Taskforce (OTF) set up at Europol to gather intelligence and coordinate the operational activities. On 23 November, a 57-year-old Turkish citizen was arrested in Albania. Residential and business properties linked to the suspect and his girlfriend were searched in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The suspect, one of Europol’s high-value targets, is suspected of heading a criminal network responsible for the large-scale import of heroin into Western Europe. The investigation was able to link the suspect to the seizure of 703 kilos of heroin in the port of Hamburg in Germany on 30 August 2022. The heroin was hidden in a container shipment of soap originating from Iran. A single dose of a two-digit milligram consumption unit of heroin can be fatal to the consumer. The suspect is now awaiting his extradition to Germany. Europol’s support Europol has supported this investigation since April 2022 with continuous intelligence development and the coordination of the operational strategy between all the countries involved. An Operational Taskforce was launched at Europol in August 2023. This Taskforce is the result of law enforcement heightened understanding of heroin trafficking in Europe, based on this case and other further developed and supported in the framework of Europol’s analysis work into encrypted criminal communications. While cocaine is grabbing the headlines, heroin trafficking is still an attractive venture for criminals. The OTF aims to identify and disrupt the ‘control and command’ of heroin supply and targets criminal networks, in the EU and beyond, that are behind multi-tonne shipments of heroin to the EU. Authorities involved in this investigation Germany: Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt) and Prosecutors Office in Dresden/Germany Netherlands: Netherlands Police – National Investigations and Special Operations Unit and Netherlands Public Prosecutors Service – National Public Prosecutor’s Office. Albania: Border Police Europol: European Serious Organised Crime Centre 28 November 2024 Source: Europol

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AFP and ABF seize 33.7 tonnes of illicit drugs and precursors

Drug Trafficking

The AFP and Australian Border Force (ABF) have seized more than 33.7 tonnes of illicit drugs and precursors in the past financial year. The majority of illicit drugs seized include methamphetamine (11t), 1,4-butanediol (6.8t), cocaine (5.6t), MDMA (1.8t), ketamine (1.5t) and heroin (745kg). The amount of illicit drugs and precursors seized in 2023-24 was an increase compared to the previous financial year, with an additional 7.1 tonnes of border-controlled drugs seized by the AFP and ABF at the border and across Australia. The AFP works with ABF to disrupt the attempts of criminal syndicates to import and traffic illicit drugs through the aviation, maritime and postal streams. In April, 2024, the AFP charged three men from New South Wales over an alleged import of 500kg of cocaine into regional Queensland via a large cargo vessel. The AFP searched the vessel and found 15 black and yellow waterproof bags that each contained about 32 blocks of a substance that tested positive to cocaine. Each block weighed about 1kg. More than 4200 litres of 1,4 Butanediol, known as ‘bute’, has been seized by authorities in Sydney since a change in Commonwealth legislation in March 2024 defined it as a border controlled drug (Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus No.2) Act 2023). The seizures included 180 litres of bute imported from China and was concealed in bottles labelled as body oil. The ABF alerted the AFP who executed search warrants in Fairfield and Lidcombe where an alleged additional 1000 litres was found. In a separate matter, a trio from Queensland was charged for their alleged involvement in the importation and possession of about 560kg of cocaine allegedly discovered during a search warrant in a small coastal town of Western Australia in August, 2023. Police alleged the men were Australian members of a transnational criminal syndicate that imported the illicit drugs into WA by sea. AFP Commander Paula Hudson said the AFP’s seizure of 33.7 tonnes of illicit drugs during the past financial year had prevented serious harm to Australians as a result. “Australia sadly remains a lucrative target for transnational serious organised crime and while these criminal syndicates continue to become more sophisticated in their attempts to smuggle harmful drugs into our country, the AFP and our law enforcement partners, remain a step ahead,” Commander Hudson said. “The AFP remains committed and focused on targeting, identifying and disrupting these attempts to import harmful illicit substances into our country, and is dedicated to bringing those responsible to justice. “The increase in the number of seizures at the border, and AFP successful operations across Australia, should also serve as a warning to the criminal syndicates which are trying to bring these illicit drugs into this country. We are watching, we are ready, and we will bring you to justice.” ABF Acting Commander Troy Sokoloff praised the efforts of ABF and AFP officers in 2024. “As the year draws to a close, it’s quite sobering to see these figures and to consider the immense community harm that has been prevented by the dedication and significant efforts of officers in our agencies and law enforcement partners,” Acting Commander Sokoloff said. “We are keenly aware that Australia will continue to be targeted by criminals seeking to profit and cause the community harm, and our clear message is this: Do not attempt to illegally import narcotics. Our highly skilled officers will detect them and you will face the full force of the law as a result.” There were 11,220 Australians hospitalised – the equivalent of over 30 hospitalisations every day in 2021-22 – from methamphetamine, cocaine or heroin consumption. 1 December 2024 Source: AFP

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Cross-Border Drug Syndicate Dismantled by NSW and WA Police

Drug Trafficking

Organised Crime Squad detectives have charged two men following a joint investigation into the alleged cross-border drug activities of a Sydney based criminal syndicate under Strike Force Buckwong. Strike Force Buckwong was established in December 2023 by State Crime Command’s Organised Crime Squad with Western Australia (WA) Police Force and the NSW Crime Commission. During the investigation, it was established the syndicate was involved in transporting large amounts of prohibited drugs from NSW to WA and laundering the proceeds of the drug transactions. NSW Police Force have previously seized $1.3 million in cash and charged five men who remain before the courts. About 10.15am on Wednesday 13 November 2024, strike force detectives – with assistance from Raptor Squad – stopped a car in Condell Park. During a search of the car, police located and seized $60,000 in cash, a DECCD and a small clear re-sealable bag containing approximately one gram of white powder, suspected to be cocaine. The driver of the car – a 29-year-old man – was arrested and taken to Bankstown Police Station, where he was charged with Deal with property proceeds of crime < $100000 & > $5000, possess DECCD to commit etc serious criminal activity, possess prohibited drug, and participate in a criminal group. He was granted conditional bail to appear in Bankstown Local Court on Wednesday 4 December 2024. Police will allege in court this man was sent to collect money on behalf of the leader of the group. A short time later, strike force detectives – with assistance from the Tactical Operations Unit – arrested a 38-year-old man in Prairiewood. The man was allegedly in possession of $53,500 in cash, and two DECCDs. Police had previously seized 6kgs of methylamphetamine believed to be linked to the man. He was taken to Fairfield Police Station where he was charged with supply prohibited drug >= large commercial quantity and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime. The man was refused bail and appeared in Fairfield Local Court today (Thursday 14 November 2024). Police will allege this man was the coordinator of the criminal syndicate. Simultaneously, WA Police Force’s Drug and Firearm Squad executed seven search warrants across regional and metro WA and arrested three men and three women. During the warrants more than 10 kilograms of methylamphetamine, approximately $620,000 in cash and two firearms were seized. Additionally, a number of cryptocurrency wallets identified as being used to launder proceeds from drug sales have been frozen. The three men and three women have all been charged with serious drug, firearm and money laundering offences in Western Australia. Through various lines of inquiry into cross-border drug operations, WA Police have arrested 54 people in total, seized more than $9 million in cash, 52 kilograms of prohibited drugs and 14 firearms. Significant intelligence has been gathered during the investigation and further arrests and charges are expected. Commander of NSW Police State Crime Command’s Organised Crime Squad, Detective Superintendent Peter Faux said often the movement of drugs is a borderless crime that requires collaboration across jurisdiction. “The successful interdiction of this cross-border drug operation is a testament to the seamless cooperation and coordination between our state police forces,” Det Supt Faux said. “Working hand-in-hand with our counterparts in neighbouring states, we have demonstrated that no border can shield criminal activity from the long arm of the law.” WA Police serious and Organised Crime Division, Acting Detective Superintendent Jeff Beros, said targeting the movement of illicit drugs and cash across our state borders remains a priority for WA Police. “The arrest of these six individuals and the head operator of this network has resulted in a significant disruption to a major crime group causing harm to our community,” A/Det Superintendent Beros said. “We will continue to work closely with NSW Police and our other partners to bring anyone operating a criminal drug and organised crime network to justice.” 25 November 2024 Source: National Tribune

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Tipping point: How drug trafficking became a ‘national cause’ in France

Drug Trafficking

France is grappling with an alarming surge in drug-related violence, from grisly murders in Marseille to deadly clashes in smaller towns. As criminal networks thrive, the government has declared the fight against trafficking a “national cause” – but experts warn the crisis may be spiralling beyond the control of law enforcement. Reports of drug-related violence have littered French headlines in recent weeks. A teenage boy was stabbed 50 times and burned alive in a drug-related killing in Marseille last month. A few days later, a 36-year-old football player was shot in cold blood by a minor. The murders both took place in Marseille, the country’s second-largest city, but also one of its poorest – and currently the epicentre of gang violence linked to drug trafficking. But smaller cities, towns and even rural areas are also seeing unprecedented violence linked to drug trafficking and the settling of scores. An incident in Rennes in northwestern France left a 5-year-old with bullet injuries on October 26 while in Poitiers, home to about 90,000 inhabitants, a 15-year-old boy died after being shot in the head during a bloody duel between drug gangs on October 31. The spike in cases of fatal violence around drug dealing has even prompted the Marseille courts to coin a new catch-all term, “narcohomicide”, to describe people killed in situations linked to drug trafficking, sometimes for simply being at the wrong place at the wrong time. France’s former interior minister Gérald Darmanin dubbed drug trafficking the “greatest threat to national unity” this past May. And the current government has continued to take a hard line on the issue since coming to power in June. Current Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said on November 1 that the situation in France had reached a “tipping point”. The country faces an ultimatum, he said: “full mobilisation” or “Mexicanisation”– a term used to describe the scale of drug trafficking in France that risks reaching levels similar to those in Mexico, where drug-related violence is rampant in some areas. The fight against the drug trade has now become a “national cause”, according to both Retailleau and Justice Minister Didier Migaud, who spoke out on the issue in Marseille last week. 14 November 2024 FULL Story: France 24

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U.S. Blocks Records on Nigerian President’s Alleged Drug Ties

Drug Trafficking

The FBI, CIA, and DEA face legal scrutiny as they invoke Glomar responses—provisions allowing them to withhold confirmation of records to protect privacy and national security—amid requests for information on Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s alleged ties to drug trafficking. In a recent court filing, the agencies argued that confirming or denying the existence of records could compromise privacy interests and national security, as they responded to multiple Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests from plaintiff Aaron Greenspan. The case highlights ongoing tensions between transparency and the protection of sensitive information held by federal agencies. The CIA, FBI, and DEA jointly filed a statement opposing the release of unredacted files on Tinubu’s background, again citing national security concerns. According to the filing, disclosing these details could endanger U.S. interests abroad. Court documents from a Chicago case claim that in the early 1990s, Tinubu was linked to bank accounts allegedly used to launder money for a heroin ring in Chicago. Records from 1993 reveal that Tinubu, then a prominent figure in Lagos, agreed to forfeit assets to U.S. authorities in a plea bargain, sidestepping a potential trial on drug trafficking and money laundering charges. Nigerian journalist David Hundeyin, a vocal advocate for transparency on the issue, posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the CIA, FBI, and DEA had recently submitted a memorandum opposing the release of Tinubu’s records. Intelligence officials argued that revealing such connections could “compromise U.S. national security” and referenced Tinubu’s possible status as a CIA asset. Amid public demands for transparency, the DEA echoed the CIA’s stance, maintaining that citizens are not entitled to unrestricted access to intelligence files. “We oppose the full, unredacted release of the DEA’s Bola Tinubu heroin trafficking investigation records because… they do not have a right to know what their president is up to,” the DEA stated. The agencies’ position hinges on national security risks, with the CIA underscoring the potential consequences of either confirming or denying any ties to Tinubu. Hundeyin expressed frustration with what he described as the U.S. intelligence community’s support for “terrible leaders” in Africa, accusing it of worsening regional instability. It has been 31 years since Tinubu, then a private citizen, forfeited $460,000 to U.S. authorities after an investigation tied him to alleged drug trafficking in Chicago. Meanwhile, Dada Olusegun, Tinubu’s special assistant on social media, dismissed the claims of CIA ties as “tragic” and baseless, asserting the president’s innocence. 14 November 2024 Source: OCCRP

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