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Regulatory Watch News

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  Searches in large-scale investigation into the import of 3-CMC and procaine

  Fiscal Information and Investigation Service - FIOD

  August 24, 2026

  On Wednesday, August 19, 2026, the FIOD and the police conducted searches at multiple locations in a criminal investigation into the importation of, among other things, the hard drug 3-CMC and the cutting agent procaine, and money laundering. Various goods and assets were seized.

  The searches took place in three homes and three business premises in The Hague, Almere, Spijkenisse, Zoetermeer, and Rijswijk. Physical and digital records, homes, bank accounts, and a large quantity of medicines were seized. No suspects were arrested during the searches. Future arrests are not ruled out.

  The Regional Partnership for Criminal Money Flows is continuing the investigation unabated. Therefore, it is being cautious in sharing further information.

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  Museum heists turn violent: new Europol report on cultural property theft tactics

  Europol

  August 24, 2026

  Europol published a spotlight report today titled Changing tactics, changing targets: the evolving nature of museum heists, which reveals a shift in the methods and targets of museum thefts across Europe. The report highlights a concerning rise in violent and forceful tactics, alongside a growing focus on high-value items such as precious metals, gemstones, and culturally significant artefacts.

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  IEWG Launches New Environmental Crimes Bulletin Series

  Egmont Group

  August 21, 2026

  New resource equips FIUs with financial intelligence insights, typologies, risk indicators, and emerging trends related to environmental crime.

  The Egmont Group Information Exchange Working Group (IEWG) has released a new series of Environmental Crimes Bulletins to support Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) in identifying, analyzing, and disrupting the financial flows associated with environmental crime.

  Developed with contributions from environmental crime subject matter experts, the bulletins examine key crime areas including illegal wildlife trade, rhino trafficking, pollution crime, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, illegal logging and illegal mining and natural resource extraction. The series highlights money laundering risks, criminal methodologies, industries at risk of exploitation, and indicators that may assist FIUs in detecting suspicious financial activity.