Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
Europol supported a joint investigation between the Belgian Federal Judicial Police and the Spanish Security Service, which disrupted the large-scale money laundering and underground banking system. in which at least 180 million euros of illicit profits generated from cocaine trafficking were laundered by the criminal network, composed of Moroccan, Spanish and Belgian nationals. The criminal network was active in Belgium and branched out into the Netherlands, Spain, South America and Dubai. Its members set up a sophisticated and professional system to launder illegal profits generated from importing cocaine through ports and airports into the European Union.
This was announced by the European Police Office, which is based in the Dutch Hague, and added in a statement posted on its website that during a coordinated working day in March 2023, law enforcement authorities arrested five suspects in Belgium, another suspect in Spain, and confiscated assets. different criminal.
  The criminal network relied on investments in cryptocurrencies and the distribution of cash through a secret banking system. One of the main methods of money laundering was by investing in luxury real estate projects in the European Union, as well as in many Moroccan cities.

The results of the operation include:
6 people arrested in Belgium and Spain
1.2 million euros of cryptocurrency has been seized
7 properties seized
50 thousand euros in cash, confiscation of a luxury car, several luxury watches and jewelry
23 telephones, three safes and a money-counting machine were seized
Cross-border police cooperation
Law enforcement began looking into the case in October 2021, after analyzing decrypted SKY ECC messages that indicated a large-scale criminal network importing cocaine and laundering illicit profits.
  The investigation revealed large quantities of cocaine that were smuggled from various ports in South America to several seaports and airports in Europe. Using contacts at these various entry points, the organization succeeded in importing several tons of cocaine and selling it for a large profit. Using a professional and flexible approach, which includes methods such as using cover companies, criminals have been able to evade authorities even decrypting the SKY ECC network.

Europol has provided analytical and operational support since March 2022, by confirming links with other countries and identifying new connections. A task force has been set up to deal with criminal organizations that act as clandestine banks, thus financing criminal activities and laundering the illicit profits of other criminal organizations.
  On Action Day, a joint coordination center was created in Leuven (Belgium), where members of Europol and Spanish security were deployed. Specifically, Europol provided on-site support by publishing a money laundering specialist, analyst, and cryptocurrency specialist.

The European Multidisciplinary Forum Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT) addresses the most important threats posed by serious and organized international crime affecting the European Union.
The IMPACT program promotes intelligence, strategic and operational cooperation between national authorities, EU institutions and bodies, and international partners. EMPACT operates in four-year cycles focusing on common crime priorities in the European Union.