A recent report released by Europol has shed light on the alarming presence of criminal networks infiltrating legal businesses in the European Union. The report identified a staggering 821 criminal networks operating in the 27-nation bloc, with a total of 25,000 members involved in various illegal activities.
What is even more concerning is that a shocking 86% of these criminal networks are able to hide their activities and launder their profits within the legal economy. One example highlighted in the report is that of a gang leader in Spain who was found to be involved in drug trafficking and money laundering through legitimate businesses.
The report also revealed that the ‘Ndrangheta organized crime syndicate from Italy has been investing its profits in real estate, supermarkets, and hotels across Europe. These criminal networks consist of members from 112 nationalities and have a strong geographical focus on their core activities.
Drug trafficking and corruption were identified as the main concerns for EU officials, with record amounts of cocaine being seized in Europe. More than 70% of the criminal networks engage in corruption, while 68% use violence and intimidation as part of their operations.
Gang violence has been on the rise in the Belgian port city of Antwerp, with authorities seizing a record amount of cocaine at the port. Officials have warned that organized crime poses a major threat to society, with its infiltration into various aspects like drug use.
The European commissioner for Home Affairs has stressed the importance of targeting these criminals and sharing data from the report to combat their illicit activities. It is clear that strong measures need to be taken to disrupt these criminal networks and protect the safety and security of the EU.
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