In a coordinated operation by Europol and the French Gendarmerie, a serious international criminal group linked to the production and trafficking of synthetic drugs has been dismantled. Over 200 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine were seized, and 16 individuals were arrested, including one Serbian citizen. The investigation reveals strong ties between Mexican drug cartels and European criminal structures.
An international operation by Europol and the French National Gendarmerie has resulted in the dismantling of a criminal network that was producing and selling synthetic drugs throughout the European Union and worldwide. In cooperation with Belgian authorities, 216 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine were seized in June 2024, and two individuals were arrested in France.
Subsequent investigation revealed that the network had direct links with the Mexican Sinaloa cartel, as well as with criminal structures in Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, and even New Zealand. The network’s organizers, a French national and an Algerian national, were responsible for the entire production chain: from smuggling chemicals from China, through setting up laboratories and synthesizing drugs, to distribution. Cryptocurrencies were used for financial transactions.
16 Individuals “Fell”
During the operation conducted on May 19, 2025, a total of sixteen people were arrested – fifteen in France and one in Belgium – including French, Belgian, Serbian nationals, and one individual with dual Mexican-American citizenship. Searches were carried out at sixteen locations, and three vehicles, luxury goods worth approximately 100,000 euros, 10,000 euros in cash, and almost 80,000 euros in bank accounts were seized. In addition, 30,000 euros in cryptocurrencies were frozen, with the investigation in that part still ongoing and further seizures expected.
At one of the locations, the remains of a clandestine methamphetamine production laboratory were found, as well as clear traces of illegal chemical waste disposal – including discarded containers, chemical residues, and signs of toxic material being buried in the vicinity – indicating an intent to conceal the actual scale of production.
Europol warns that the production of synthetic drugs in the European Union is rapidly increasing, as confirmed by the latest “EU SOCTA 2025” report. While such laboratories were once confined to certain regions, production has now spread to an increasing number of member states. Driven by enormous profits, criminal clans engage in conflicts with each other, infiltrate legal money flows, and spread corruption, posing a serious threat to society’s security and stability.
As early as 2022, a joint report by Europol and the US DEA pointed to the increasingly firm cooperation between Mexican drug cartels and European criminal organizations. These connections have enabled the spread of methamphetamine and cocaine trafficking and production on European soil, with Mexican groups offering expertise and “cooks” for methamphetamine, as well as assistance in building cocaine conversion laboratories.
Europol played a key role in this case, coordinating the work of various services, enabling continuous information exchange, and providing analytical support. On the day of the action itself, one of their experts was dispatched to Marseille to verify operational data in real-time and provide logistical support to investigators on the ground.
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Source: Nova.rs, Photo: europol.europa.eu