
Drug trafficking investigation leads to some of the world’s biggest underground bankers
Europol
Some of the world’s biggest underground bankers have been targeted in an international law enforcement operation against a sophisticated financial network suspected of financing drug trafficking and laundering criminal proceeds around the world. The investigation, led by the Spanish National Police (Policía Nacional) and supported by Europol, has resulted in the arrest of 21 suspects for offences including participation in a criminal organisation, drug trafficking and money laundering. An action day carried out in Spain on 22 July 2026 resulted in the arrest of 15 suspects. Spanish authorities also issued 19 international arrest warrants against suspects located outside the country. Six of these warrants have since been executed, resulting in four arrests in the United Arab Emirates, one in Egypt and one in the Netherlands.





