Belgian police lead global operation to dismantle criminal networks

In a massive coordinated effort known as Atlas Nexus, law enforcement agencies across 34 countries have dismantled dozens of international criminal organizations. Led by the Belgian Federal Police and involving agencies such as Europol, Interpol, and Frontex, the operation resulted in the arrest of over 490 individuals.

Authorities seized approximately 157 tons of drugs, along with 201 weapons, 3,131 pieces of ammunition and explosives, large sums of cash, jewelry, and cryptocurrencies. The operation also targeted environmental crime, resulting in the seizure of hundreds of wild animals and livestock.

To disrupt these networks, more than 8,600 officers conducted nearly 600 searches and inspected 110 aircraft, 28 ships, 415 vehicles, and 271 containers at ports, airports, and roadsides. The Belgian police stated that the objective was not merely to intercept shipments, but to dismantle the underlying structures and strip them of the resources that sustain them.