Amphetamine: new analysis on Europe’s most common synthetic stimulant highlights sophisticated EU-based production and environmental concerns
Published on: 16 Oct 2023
The analysis, from the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) and the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol), covers the supply chain from production and trafficking to distribution and use. It also details the processes, materials and criminal actors involved at different stages and levels of the market. Europe is a major global producer of amphetamine, alongside the Middle East. Amphetamine use is also concentrated in these two regions. In Europe, amphetamine is largely consumed as powders and paste, whereas, in the Middle East, it is mos…
38 arrests in action against agricultural labour exploitation
Europe-wide operation identifies 1 583 workers affected by labour exploitation, including 353 possible human trafficking victims
Published on: 16 Oct 2023
The action week resulted in: 38 arrests 43 suspected traffickers identified 20 new criminal investigations initiated 1 583 workers subjected to exploitation and labour violations identified (including 353 identified as possible victims of human trafficking) 687 employers committing labour violations identified 156 new inspections by labour authorities initiated 29 forged documents identified 27 653 persons checked 3 148 locations checked 17 231 documents checked 3 204 vehicles checked Similar criminal practices in various countries Behind the figures reported …
Ragnar Locker ransomware gang taken down by international police swoop
Published on: 20 Oct 2023
This action, coordinated at international level by Europol and Eurojust, targeted the Ragnar Locker ransomware group. The group were responsible for numerous high-profile attacks against critical infrastructure across the world. In an action carried out between 16 and 20 October, searches were conducted in Czechia, Spain and Latvia. The “key target” of this malicious ransomware strain was arrested in Paris, France, on 16 October, and his home in Czechia was searched. Five suspects were interviewed in Spain and Latvia in the following days. At the end of the action week, the main perpet…
