“Operation Hinterland”: Strike against drug gang – 17 tons of cocaine seized

According to Europol, detectives in Brazil have dug up an international drug network and seized cocaine worth several billion euros.

15 people have been arrested, Europol announced in The Hague on Friday. In the course of the investigation 17 tons of cocaine were seizedwhich are said to have a sales value of several billion euros. According to Europol, assets worth 80 million euros were seized during the action on Thursday.

It is about one of the most active drug networks in Brazil, which has flooded Europe with huge shipments of cocaine. The gang’s entire infrastructure was destroyed, Europol saidfrom suppliers in Paraguay to ship transport to money laundering organizations.

37 objects were searched, 173 vehicles and one aircraft were seized and the accounts of 147 individuals and 66 companies were blocked. According to the information, steps have also been taken in Spain to seize gang members’ assets.

The investigations into “Operation Hinterland” lasted two years on, as announced by the European Police Authority. Researchers from Latin America and Europe struck on Thursday. The action was directed from two Brazilian command centers. The police in France and Spain were also involved.

The investigation started after a tip from the German customs. In December 2020, he seized 316 kilos of cocaine in the northern German port city of Hamburg. There would be a Brazilian company behind it.

According to Europol, the detectives then succeeded in uncovering transport routes. Accordingly, the gang smuggled the hidden cocaine from Paraguay in trucks and then exported it to Europe. (oee/sda/dpa)