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Europol Nabs Balkan Drug Lords By Accessing Their Chat Platform
- By The Financial District
- May 25, 2023
- 2 min read
The Europol team was able to trace the criminal network of Balkan drug traffickers by accessing their communications on Sky ECC, a popular messaging service for the underworld, which is akin to WhatsApp for criminals, Una Hajdari reported for Euronews.
Photo Insert: Believed to have been unbreakable in the past, French and Dutch investigators managed to sneak into Sky ECC in early 2021 and launched 200 simultaneous raids into smuggling and criminal networks.
Three countries have been involved in the takedown of the largest drug trafficking criminal organization in the Balkan region, resulting in the seizure of assets worth about €5 million and the arrest of the former leader of the Pink Panther international jewel thieves network.
"On May 11, coordinated raids were carried out in Serbia and the Netherlands, targeting both the cartel’s leadership and distribution infrastructure," Europol, the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation, said in a statement.
"A total of 23 individuals have been arrested, including the three leaders of this criminal organization, considered as High Value Targets by Europol."
Believed to have been unbreakable in the past, French and Dutch investigators managed to sneak into Sky ECC in early 2021 and launched 200 simultaneous raids into smuggling and criminal networks.
Sky ECC became popular with drug criminals after its successor Encrochat was cracked in 2020.
"In cooperation with France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, and with the support of Europol’s Drugs Unit, Serbia was able to identify key targets on its territory, and map out their criminal activities across the world," the statement continued.
Tons of cocaine shipments have been transported by this criminal organization directly to Europe from Colombia, Brazil, and Ecuador, or through West African logistical infrastructures. In the criminal underworld, this gang was known for its violence and high-end robberies.
