EUR 2.7 Million Seized in EU Crackdown on Money Laundering and Cash Smuggling

Image Credit, Eurpol

In a sweeping operation spanning 23 EU Member States, Europol and Customs authorities seized nearly EUR 2.7 million in cash and valuable assets as part of an extensive campaign against money laundering, transnational crime, and terrorism financing. The operation, which took place from November 12 to 24, also resulted in the confiscation of gold and jewelry, including 18 gold bars valued at over EUR 1.7 million.

The coordinated action, led by French Customs with the involvement of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), targeted cash smuggling across EU borders. Authorities conducted over 500 cash movement checks and inspected more than 300 passengers at airports, train stations, ports, and borders. Postal shipments were also scrutinized, exposing illicit financial flows that could rise as further investigations and prosecutions unfold.

Europol’s European Financial and Economic Crime Centre (EFECC) was central to the operation’s success. Two financial analysts and a money laundering specialist provided critical operational support, cross-checking and validating intelligence in real time. This close collaboration with Customs agencies and other EU entities exemplifies Europol’s strategy of leveraging pooled resources and expertise to disrupt criminal networks effectively.

The operation underscores Europol’s evolution into a robust criminal information hub. By connecting Member States with a growing network of partners and intelligence sources, Europol enhances its capability to tackle transnational threats. This initiative aligns with broader EU efforts to improve interoperability and advance travel intelligence systems.

The operation brought together law enforcement agencies from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.

The joint effort highlights the power of unified action against financial crimes, sending a clear message to criminal organizations operating within the EU: illicit cash flows and smuggling networks will not evade detection. With further prosecutions expected, this operation marks a significant step forward in safeguarding the integrity of the European financial system.