Europol busts Europe-wide drug ring in ‘largest-ever’ operation

Al JazeeraCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete by By Al Jazeera staff and News AgenciesJanuary 21, 2026 at 01:12 PM

AI Summary

short article 2 min

In January 2026, Europol coordinated a year-long, multi-national operation that dismantled a major synthetic drug manufacturing network operating across Europe. Police from Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain participated, arresting over 100 suspects and seizing 9.3 tonnes of narcotics. The criminal network, centered in Poland, imported chemicals from China and India to produce drugs like MDMA, amphetamine, and meth in 24 industrial-scale labs located in several countries. Authorities seized approximately 1,000 tonnes of these chemicals. The operation, triggered by suspicious chemical imports in 2024, is considered the largest ever against synthetic drug production and distribution, dealing a significant blow to organized crime.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Spain 40% Belgium ×250% Czech Republic ×250% Germany ×250% Netherlands ×250% China ×260% India ×260% Andy Kraag ×270% European Union 70% Poland ×580% Europol ×290%

Keywords

drug trafficking 90% synthetic drugs 80% organized crime 70% europol 70% drug bust 60% illegal labs 60% amphetamine 50% meth 50% mdma 50% chemical precursors 40%