A Europol investigation has revealed that 731 criminal networks are active in Europe, involving more than 400,000 members of 118 different nationalities, the European police agency said on Friday.
The Europol study says gangs often operate across borders and in a highly professional manner, with 85% of them using legal business structures to carry out their crimes.
It said the groups are active across the entire spectrum of crime, including drug trafficking, cybercrime, migrant smuggling, human trafficking, fraud and money laundering, noting that they exploit digital and technological advances, global trade and geopolitical instability for their operations.
Two years ago, Europol presented the first comprehensive study on criminal networks in Europe. The follow-up study now shows that 76% of the networks are new. However, Europol identified a hard core of 198 gangs. Two years ago, 821 networks had been identified.
According to the experts, this change is not necessarily a sign of success on the part of investigators. It demonstrates how flexible the networks are and how quickly they reorganize themselves under pressure from police investigations, the agency said.
Whilst the arrest of key figures can destabilize a network, the report notes, new actors emerge to exploit the leadership vacuum.
It is therefore not enough to target key figures alone. Investigators must aim to dismantle criminal systems and plug gaps in their logistical, financial and digital infrastructure.
