$364 Million Cross-Border Money Laundering Network shut down and 13 Arrested in Cross-Border Sting

European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation [Eurojust] has reported on February 6^th

• Following investigations into a criminal group suspected of laundering at least EUR 306 million of illicit profits from drug trafficking and other crimes, 13 people have been arrested in France and Romania. Investigations coordinated by a joint Eurojust team revealed that the group had been operating in France and Romania between 2018 and 2024.

Introduction

• In a major victory against organised crime, French and Romanian authorities, with the support of Eurojust and Europol, have successfully dismantled a sophisticated transnational money laundering network.
• This group, active from 2018 to 2024, is accused of cleaning at least €306 million (approximately $364 million) in illicit proceeds primarily from drug trafficking, along with other criminal activities.
• The operation highlights the growing complexity of financial crimes and the importance of international cooperation in combating them.
• In this case, the network's methods exploited legitimate business structures and real estate investments, demonstrating how criminals blend into the legal economy.
• This bust not only disrupts a major funding source for drug traffickers but also serves as a deterrent to similar operations across Europe.

How the Network Operated

The criminal syndicate, comprising dozens of members based in Romania and France, employed a multi-layered approach to launder their dirty money.

Their operations were highly organised, leveraging both corporate entities and property markets to obscure the flow of funds. Here's a breakdown of their three interconnected methods:

1. Takeover of Legitimate Entities:
1. The group hijacked existing legal businesses in France, assuming control without raising immediate suspicions.
2. These compromised companies were then used to funnel large sums of criminal proceeds directly into the network's bank accounts.
3. By exploiting the trust financial institutions place in these entities, criminals could move money efficiently and with reduced scrutiny.
4. This method enabled them to integrate illicit funds into the formal economy seamlessly.
2. False Invoice Circuit:
1. To further legitimise the transfers, the network created a closed-loop financial system involving fake invoicing.
2. Controlled companies issued bogus invoices to one another for services that were never provided.
3. This not only justified the movement of funds but also artificially reduced the taxable income of the involved entities, providing an additional financial benefit.
4. Such schemes are common in money laundering as they create a paper trail that mimics genuine business transactions.
3. Real Estate Investments in Third-Party Names:
1. A significant portion of the laundered money was invested in real estate across Romania.
2. To conceal their involvement, the group registered properties under the names of associates or third parties, hiding the true beneficial owners.
3. This technique is particularly effective in jurisdictions with less stringent ownership transparency rules, allowing criminals to park illicit wealth in appreciating assets while generating rental income or resale profits.

These methods, combined, formed a robust laundering machine that processed hundreds of millions over six years, underscoring the need for enhanced due diligence in corporate takeovers and real estate transactions.

The Investigation and Coordination

The breakthrough came through a joint investigation team (JIT) established and funded by Eurojust, the European Union's agency for judicial cooperation.

• Eurojust facilitated the exchange of evidence between French and Romanian authorities and coordinated the overall probe from its headquarters in The Hague.
• Europol, the EU's law enforcement agency, provided additional support in intelligence sharing and operational planning, emphasising the cross-border nature of the crime.

Key players included

• French entities such as the Investigative Judges from the Financial Division of the Tribunal Judiciaire de Paris, the National Prosecutor’s Office Against Organised Crime (PNACO), and the Financial Investigation Unit (BRIF).
• On the Romanian side, the Prosecutor’s Office attached to the High Court of Cassation and Justice, the Directorate for Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT), and various gendarmerie units were instrumental.

This collaborative effort exemplifies how EU institutions like Eurojust and Europol bridge national boundaries to tackle sophisticated crimes that no single country can handle alone.

The Takedown and Results

• The investigation concluded with a coordinated joint action day on February 3, 2026.
• Authorities executed 24 house searches across France and Romania, leading to the arrest of 13 suspects. Seizures included over €400,000 in cash, luxury jewellery, high-end watches, and mobile phones – items often used to store or transfer value discreetly.
• This operation not only halted a six-year-old network but also seized assets that could have fuelled further criminal activities. The arrests target key members, potentially unravelling connected drug trafficking rings.

Implications and Conclusion

• This dismantling sends a strong message to criminal organisations: international borders no longer provide safe havens for laundering operations. It underscores the evolving tactics in anti-money laundering (AML) efforts, including the use of JITs and advanced intelligence sharing.
• For businesses and regulators, it highlights vulnerabilities in corporate governance and real estate sectors, prompting calls for stricter beneficial ownership registries and invoice verification protocols.
• As Europe continues to combat the financial underpinnings of drug trafficking, successes like this bolster public confidence in law enforcement's ability to protect the integrity of the financial system.

References: Web News Sources

1. Eurojust - Action against EUR 306 million money laundering network: https://www.eurojust.europa.eu/news/action-against-eur-306-million-money-laundering-network
2. OCCRP - Eurojust-Backed Raids Uncover $364 Million Cross-Border Money Laundering Network: https://www.occrp.org/en/news/eurojust-backed-raids-uncover-364-million-cross-border-money-laundering-network
3. AML Intelligence - NEWS: 13 arrested as France and Romania target €306m money laundering gang: https://www.amlintelligence.com/2026/02/news-13-arrested-as-france-and-romania-target-e306m-money-laundering-gang
4. FinCrime Central - Massive Europol / Eurojust Strike Against 306 Million Euro Narcotics Cash Network: https://fincrimecentral.com/europol-eurojust-money-laundering-network
5. Eurojust - Money laundering page: https://www.eurojust.europa.eu/term/money-laundering
6. Law360 - €306M Money Laundering Network Sting Leads To 13 Arrests: https://www.law360.com/tax-authority/articles/2439342/306m-money-laundering-network-sting-leads-to-13-arrests