EU drug seizures & crackdown, Project Medusa 2026

Timeline

1. 2 days ago

   [CRIME] 6 sources

   Two men arrested in Oosterwolde over massive Rotterdam cocaine haul

   Dutch police arrested two men from Zwolle and Oosterwolde after a traffic stop linked them to a Rotterdam container holding 375 cocaine blocks; court custody was later imposed.

2. 4 days ago

   [CRIME] 7 sources

   German police seize cannabis plantations in Marl, Haltern, Duisburg

   Police raids in Marl, Haltern and Duisburg uncovered cannabis plantations, seized chemicals and arrested four men (Tunisian, Albanian, German) on organised drug‑trafficking charges.

3. 14 days ago

   [CRIME] 13 sources

   Dutch customs officers released on bail amid corruption and cocaine‑import probe

   Three Rotterdam‑area customs officers suspected of bribery, data theft and aiding cocaine imports were released on bail as the court found insufficient grounds to keep them detained.

4. 16 days ago

   [CRIME] 17 sources

   Den Haag drug lab evicts 150 residents, four suspects arrested

   A large drug lab in The Hague was dismantled after evacuating 150 residents; four men were arrested for producing MDMA and ecstasy.

5. 21 days ago

   [CRIME] 2 sources

   Spanish police bust 2,500‑kg hash stash; Dutch police seize drugs and firearm

   Spanish police seized a 2,500‑kg hash stash, stolen cars and guns in Huelva; Dutch police arrested two women with multiple hard drugs and a firearm in Almere.

6. 24 days ago

   [CRIME] 4 sources

   Netherlands linked to multiple international drug smuggling busts

   Four drug busts involving the Netherlands: a body‑packer jailed in Germany, a 1,600 kg cocaine seizure in Suriname, a court case on 593 kg hidden in a plane from Suriname, and a Dutch facilitator caught in Moed

7. 26 days ago

   [CRIME] 4 sources

   Dutch police seize cocaine, hash and chemicals in raids across Venray, Merselo and Deventer

   Dutch police arrested three suspects after seizing over two kilograms of cocaine and a kilogram of hash in Merselo, and detained another individual in Deventer following the discovery of large quantities ofsynt

8. about 1 month ago

   [CRIME] 5 sources

   Shadow‑fleet freighter Arconian seized with 30+ tons of cocaine, linked to Dutch mobster Jos Leijdekkers

   Spanish police seized the freighter Arconian with over 30 tons of cocaine, tied to Dutch mobster Jos Leijdekkers, showcasing a shift to a West‑African shadow‑fleet drug route into Europe.

9. about 1 month ago

   [CRIME] 3 sources

   Spanish and French authorities bust Barcelona-to-Rennes drug smuggling ring

   Spanish police, French gendarmerie and Europol arrested two leaders of a Barcelona‑Rennes drug smuggling ring, seizing kilos of cocaine, hash, marijuana, cash and crypto assets.

10. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    German police seize 90 kg cannabis and cocaine in raids at Montabaur and Karlsruhe

    German police arrested three men in a 90 kg cannabis bust near Montabaur and seized 80 g of cocaine while detaining two brothers in Karlsruhe.

11. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 5 sources

    German police turn back seven Bangladeshi youths at Goldene Bremm border

    German police stopped a French‑registered car at Goldene Bremm, denied entry to seven Bangladeshi youths lacking documents and opened smuggling probes against the driver.

12. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 4 sources

    German police arrest alleged Hawala money‑launderer in Hagen

    German police arrested a 45‑year‑old Syrian alleged Hawala agent in Hagen, accusing him of handling smuggler payments and money‑laundering; raids seized €13,300 and electronic data.

13. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    German police seize cash and watches in raid on Canadian cannabis smuggling ring

    German police arrested four suspects in Hannover, seizing €45,000 cash, luxury watches and cannabis imported from Canada.

14. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    European Police Bust 1.4‑ton Cannabis Shipment Between Spain and France

    Police in France and Spain arrested ten suspects, seized 1.45 tonnes of cannabis and €278,000 cash, and disrupted a cross‑border parcel‑based drug network with Europol support.

15. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 3 sources

    Vienna Airport confiscates hundreds of kilos of drugs with help from detection dog Jerry

    Austrian police and customs seized nearly 400 kg of cannabis, heroin, cocaine, khat and other drugs at Vienna Airport in 2026, aided by detection dog Jerry, leading to 46 arrests.

16. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    Dutch authorities arrest two suspects in €20 million money‑laundering case

    Dutch police and the FIOD arrested two men on 3 June over a €20 million money‑laundering scheme involving German‑company accounts and false invoices, with assets seized and detention extended.

17. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 16 sources

    Witnesses Detain Car Thieves in Vienna’s Favoriten District

    In Vienna’s Favoriten district, witnesses stopped three car thieves after a window‑smashing burglary, leading to the arrest of a 14‑year‑old and two women and the recovery of the stolen power strip and hammer.

18. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 3 sources

    Nuremberg Police Arrest Two Suspects in Child Sexual Abuse and Drug Case

    Nuremberg police detained a 24‑year‑old for child sexual abuse and a 26‑year‑old for supplying drugs to minors, seizing crystal meth, cocaine and €2,000 in cash.

19. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 6 sources

    European Drug Ring Dismantled in Multi‑Country Raid

    Police raids in Germany, Spain and Austria seized over 4 tons of cannabis, 27 kg of cocaine and other drugs worth €11 million, arresting 31 suspects.

20. about 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    Netherlands-linked cocaine shipments intercepted in Europe and Liberia

    Dutch prosecutors target a transformer‑smuggling ring that moved 506 kg of cocaine into the Netherlands, while Liberian police seized 237 kg bound for Europe, linked to fugitive Dutch baron Jos Leijdekkers.

21. about 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    Göttingen court hands four‑month sentence to 26‑year‑old drug dealer

    In Göttingen, a 26‑year‑old was sentenced to a suspended four‑month term after police filmed him selling cannabis to a 17‑year‑old, using video‑enabled binoculars as key evidence.

22. about 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 9 sources

    Hamburg police dismantle large‑scale cocaine smuggling network

    German police, led by the BKA, arrested three suspects and seized assets in a multi‑state raid exposing a cocaine‑smuggling network that used fruit‑trade firms to ship tons of cocaine via North Sea ports.

23. about 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    German police seize drugs at techno festivals and in Schwerin crackdown

    German police seized a range of drugs at Offenbach techno events and, after a months‑long operation in Schwerin, arrested multiple suspects, seized over 10 kg of narcotics and reported a calmer neighbourhood.

24. about 2 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources

    Berlin pushes stricter gun legislation after weapons incidents

    Berlin police seized a blank‑firing weapon after a resident reported gunshots; the city senate is now proposing to raise illegal gun possession to a felony amid rising gang‑related shootings.

25. about 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 3 sources

    Police dismantle illegal poaching network in Galliate, Italy

    Carabinieri in Galliate, Italy, busted an illegal poaching ring, seizing traps, weapons, ammunition and protected wildlife items, including ivory and a lion, under ongoing investigation.

26. about 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    Polish authorities seize over a tonne of heroin at Gdynia port in major drug bust

    Polish police seized over a tonne of heroin worth €37‑52 million at Gdynia port, arresting three Polish nationals after a UK tip exposed containers from the UAE.

27. about 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    German and Dutch police seize 2.5 tonnes of cocaine in coordinated bust

    German and Dutch authorities raided 27 sites, seized 2.5 tonnes of cocaine worth €180 million and arrested three suspects in a cross‑border smuggling ring using fake companies.

28. about 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 3 sources

    German police seize weapons, detain illegal migrants at Bavarian border

    German police seized illegal weapons from five people at the A6 border and detained a Georgian migrant overstaying his visa, also uncovering forged documents; investigations opened for all offenses.

29. about 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    German police seize 13 kg of drugs in Bremen‑Oldenburg‑Vechta ‘drug‑taxi’ bust

    German police raids in Bremen, Oldenburg and Vechta uncovered a specially modified ‘drug‑taxi’, seizing over 13 kg of cocaine and cannabis, two firearms, €40 k cash and arresting two suspects.

30. about 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    Police in Bielefeld seize hand grenades and drugs from arrested dealer

    Bielefeld police arrested a 29‑year‑old drug dealer, seizing cannabis, cocaine, a gun and two genuine hand grenades from his flat.

31. 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 8 sources

    Tripi: Police seize illegal large boar trap in protected oasis

    Messina police seized a large illegal boar trap in Tripi’s protected oasis, the third such device removed in the anti‑poaching campaign, and opened an investigation.

32. 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    German Customs Seize 8 Tonnes of Cocaine Valued at €500 Million

    German customs seized 8 tonnes of cocaine worth €500 million in Wilhelmshaven, calling it a major blow to international drug trafficking and prompting new enforcement legislation.

33. 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 3 sources

    Italian police fine businesses in Genoa and Agrigento for illegal activity

    Police in Genoa imposed €1,000 fines and anti‑alcohol citations during a June 3 crackdown, while Agrigento police levied €19,000 in fines and seized counterfeit goods in raids on local vendors.

34. 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 4 sources

    Guardia di Finanza seizes 2,500 litres of illegal diesel in Benevento

    Guardia di Finanza in Benevento seized 2,537 L of non‑standard diesel and charged the distributor with fraud and tax evasion.

35. 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 7 sources

    German customs seize 500‑tonne cocaine haul in Wilhelmshaven

    German customs seized over 8 tonnes of cocaine worth about €500 million in Wilhelmshaven, prompting arrests in Spain and a planned customs‑finance reform.

36. 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 3 sources

    Italian authorities seize over 136,000 litres of illegal fuel in Siena and Rome

    Italian Guardia di Finanza confiscated about 136,000 L of illegal diesel and gasoline in Siena and Rome, citing contamination, improper denaturation and tax violations.

37. 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 4 sources

    Security firm employee arrested for amphetamine trafficking in Kitzingen, Germany

    A 34‑year‑old security‑company worker in Kitzingen was arrested after amphetamines were found in his locker, and a subsequent home search uncovered a significant drug stash, prompting a trafficking probe.

38. 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 5 sources

    Italian authorities seize 20,000 L of adulterated diesel in Abbiategrasso

    Guardia di Finanza seized 20,000 L of illegal, highly flammable diesel mixed with solvents and waste oil in Abbiategrasso, linking it to tax evasion and safety risks.

39. 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    Berlin Man Threatens Children with Long Gun, Special Police Unit Storms Apartment

    A 35‑year‑old in Berlin‑Hellersdorf threatened children with a long gun; police’s SEK entered his flat, confiscating the gun, knives and thousands of smuggled cigarettes.

40. 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    Berlin man threatens children with rifle on balcony, SEK forces intervene

    A 35‑year‑old man in Berlin’s Hellersdorf threatened children with a rifle; SEK entered his flat, seized the gun, knives and untaxed cigarettes, and released the suspect after ID checks.

41. 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 4 sources

    Police arrest 29‑year‑old drug dealer in San Giuseppe Vesuviano

    Police in San Giuseppe Vesuviano arrested a 29‑year‑old for cocaine trafficking, seizing about 40 g total and cash, while the buyer was fined for personal possession.

42. 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    Italian authorities seize 1,300 tonnes of counterfeit lubricating oil in Bari operation

    Italy’s Guardia di Finanza seized over 1,300 tonnes of fake lubricating oil in Bari, exposing a fraud that earned €1 million and resulted in 15 suspects facing charges.

43. 3 months ago

    [CRIME] 4 sources

    German police seize illegal weapons, explosives and drugs in multiple raids

    German police seized weapons, explosives and drugs in border checks and a Berlin raid.

44. 3 months ago

    [CRIME] 5 sources

    Frankfurt customs seize nearly 15 tonnes of narcotics

    Frankfurt customs seized nearly 15 t of drugs and other illegal goods, including live animals.

45. 3 months ago

    [CRIME] 75 sources

    Italian police seize 38,000 counterfeit luxury items in San Giuseppe Vesuviano

    Guardia di Finanza seized 38,000 counterfeit luxury goods in San Giuseppe Vesuviano, arresting a Moroccan suspect.

46. 3 months ago

    [CRIME] 4 sources

    Police uncover 1,400-plant illegal cannabis farm in Solingen, Germany

    Police in Solingen, Germany, busted a warehouse growing about 1,400 illegal cannabis plants after spotting abnormal electricity use.

47. 3 months ago

    [CRIME] 4 sources

    Police seize counterfeit luxury goods at Offenbach flea market

    Offenbach police seize 120 counterfeit items at a flea market; goods valued over €115,000; stall operator under investigation.