International operation exposes global criminal network
A press conference will be held on Friday 6 March 2026 at 10:00 CET to unveil the results of a major international investigation that began with the seizure of two mobile phones in a small Swedish town – and exposed a global criminal web stretching across Europe, Asia and Australia.
When investigators unlocked the devices, they uncovered not one group but a constellation of interconnected criminal networks orchestrating large-scale drug trafficking and money laundering.
Coordinated enforcement actions across multiple countries have now struck at the heart of this structure, disrupting key actors.
Press conference details
Speakers:
- Mats Berggren, Acting Deputy Head of The National Operations Department, Swedish Police Authority
- Commander Chris Woods, Command Europe, Africa & Middle East, Australian Federal Police
- Samuel Montes Gentil, Acting Deputy of the Investigation Unit of Málaga, Guardia Civil
- Andy Kraag, Head of Europol’s European Serious and Organised Crime Centre
- Erik Fågelsbo, Eurojust National Member for Sweden
Countries involved in the investigation: Australia, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Europol, Eurojust
Date and time: Friday 6 March, 10:00 CET
Place: Europol Headquarters, The Hague, the Netherlands
The press conference will also be livestreamed on Europol’s website.
Ground rules: On-the-record press conference.
RSVP
Journalists wishing to attend in person are requested to RSVP to press@europol.europa.eu by Friday at 08:00 CET.
Please provide your full name and date of birth for registration. Valid ID credentials are required for admittance.
The conference room will be available for media set-up from 09:30 CET. All equipment must be in place by 09:50 CET.
Registration is not required to follow the livestream.
