On 14 December 2020, Europol supported the Spanish National Police in dismantling a high-risk, large-scale Russian-speaking organised crime network active since 2013. This network was implicated in multiple crimes across Europe, South America, and the US, including murder, drug and arms trafficking, human trafficking, and extortion. The operation led to 23 arrests, 18 house searches, seizure of 10 weapons, 23 properties, 16 luxury vehicles, diamonds, virtual wallets, and blocking of bank accounts and property assets worth millions of euros. The network infiltrated Spanish public institutions, carrying out philanthropic activities that secured administrative favors, protection from police and judicial investigations, and facilitated Spanish residence acquisition for members. The group also laundered money via investments in luxury real estate, restaurants, warehouses, ships, and boats, including in Ibiza and the Balearic Islands, intending to control key economic sectors like tourism. Lawyers, politicians, officials, businesspeople, hackers, and 'thieves-in-law' were linked to the network. Europol provided realtime analytical and operational support during the takedown, reinforcing its efforts against high-level organised crime groups threatening EU security.

On 14 December 2020, Europol supported the Spanish National Police in dismantling a high-risk, large-scale Russian-speaking organised crime network active since 2013. This network was implicated in multiple crimes across Europe, South America, and the US, including murder, drug and arms trafficking, human trafficking, and extortion. The operation led to 23 arrests, 18 house searches, seizure of 10 weapons, 23 properties, 16 luxury vehicles, diamonds, virtual wallets, and blocking of bank accounts and property assets worth millions of euros. The network infiltrated Spanish public institutions, carrying out philanthropic activities that secured administrative favors, protection from police and judicial investigations, and facilitated Spanish residence acquisition for members. The group also laundered money via investments in luxury real estate, restaurants, warehouses, ships, and boats, including in Ibiza and the Balearic Islands, intending to control key economic sectors like tourism. Lawyers, politicians, officials, businesspeople, hackers, and 'thieves-in-law' were linked to the network. Europol provided realtime analytical and operational support during the takedown, reinforcing its efforts against high-level organised crime groups threatening EU security.