Criminal network busted in Central and Eastern EuropeOn 11 November 2025, law enforcement targeted an international criminal network supplying key precursors used to produce methamphetamine and operating across Europe. Authorities from Bulgaria, Czechia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova, supported by Europol, participated in the investigation. Eurojust set up and funded the joint investigation team between Czech, Romanian and Moldovan authorities allowing them to track the flow of illicit substances and communications and collect evidence for the prosecution of the criminal group. The action day led to:16 arrests (1 in Bulgaria, 11 in Czechia, 2 in Hungary and 2 in Moldova)18 searches (3 in Czechia, 2 in Hungary, 1 in Romania and 12 in Moldova)3 clandestine drugs laboratory dismantled in Hungary and MoldovaSeizure of synthetic drugs and chemical materials to produce methamphetamine, including over 5 kilos of methamphetamine, 40 kg of ephedrine-containing pills, 50 litres of toluene, 0.5 kg of phosphorus, 280 kg of caustic soda, 70 kg of chemical residues from methamphetamine production, and specialized production equipmentSeizure of two vehicles used for transporting drugsSeizure of electronic devices and cashThe suspects were involved in every stage of the drug production chain: they imported chemicals, produced synthetic drugs and smuggled them in luggage on airplanes and in hidden compartments of vehicles to avoid detection by authorities.

Drugs found in investigation.

 

Property of the precursor network.

 The following authorities took part in the investigation: Bulgaria: General Directorate Combating Organized Crime (?????? ???????? "????? ? ?????????????? ???????????)Czechia: National Police (Policie ?eské republiky), National Drug HQHungary: National Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Office (Készenléti Rend?rség Nemzeti Nyomozó Iroda, Kábítószer B?nözés Elleni Hivatal)Romania: National Police (Poli?ia Român?)   Moldova: Directorate of cross-border crime investigation of General Inspectorate of Border Police (Inspectoratul General al Poli?iei de Frontier?), Prosecutor’s Office for Combatting Organized Crime and for Special Cases (Procuratura pentru Combaterea Criminalit??ii Organizate ?i Cauze Speciale)Precursors made in China, distributed across EuropeIn an unprecedented operation in the EU, authorities seized over 40 tonnes of precursors intended for the production of MDMA, amphetamine and methamphetamine in Hungary and Germany. The investigation spanned over two years, with the most recent action taking place on 4 and 5 November 2025, resulting in:4 arrests8 property searchesSynthetic drugs seizedPrecursors and chemicals seizedVehicles, jewellery and electronic devices seizedEUR 67 000 in cash seized

Seizure taking place in Hungary.

The investigation revealed that the precursors were shipped from China to the ports of Hamburg and Rotterdam. There, they were collected by members of the criminal network and sent to Hungary for further distribution. The perpetrators operated across many European countries and had the capacity to supply large quantities of products and chemicals, enabling drug production on a massive scale. The criminal network targeted in this operation was linked to several shipments of precursor chemicals seized between 2023 and 2025. During this period, authorities intercepted almost 32 tonnes of precursors in Hungary and more than 10 tonnes in Germany.The following authorities took part in the investigation:Hungary: National Police (Rend?rség)Germany: Joint Precursor Monitoring Unit (Customs/Police) at the BKA, Customs (Zoll)Netherlands: Netherlands Police (Politie), FIODSynthetic drugs: a growing threatEuropol played a key role in both operations by providing operational and analytical support to national investigators. Additionally, on 6 and 7 November 2025, a Europol expert was deployed to assist Hungarian authorities in the field, providing real-time analysis of the data as it was gathered.The production and trafficking of synthetic drugs have increased over the past years, as both the demand and supply of synthetic drugs are high. This threat is expected to further escalate. 

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