This week, Irish and Spanish law enforcement authorities took decisive action against one of Ireland’s high-risk criminal networks. In a coordinated series of raids in both countries, An Garda Síochána and Guardia Civil officers arrested 12 suspects (6 in Ireland and 6 in Spain). The criminals are suspected of involvement in large-scale drug trafficking, mainly by transporting drugs hidden in vehicles from Spain to Ireland. 

Law enforcement uncovered the network’s activities, including drug-related crimes such as money laundering, when it dismantled the Ghost encrypted communication platform in September 2024. In an ultimately unsuccessful attempt to evade detection, the criminals had relied on sophisticated encrypted communications and had fragmented their exchanges across multiple platforms. During the action day, however, investigators were able to trace several Ghost user handles back to members of the criminal network.

Criminals haunted by their chats

This high-risk criminal network coordinated the drug trade using these sophisticated communication channels, relying on both encryption and multi-platform distribution. The sophistication of their communications was in stark contrast to the simplicity of their modus operandi; it consisted of smuggling cocaine and marijuana across the continent in vehicles equipped with custom-made secret compartments and cloned number plates.

Europol’s support

Europol has provided support for this investigation since November 2023, with experts from several crime fields contributing to its success. The information gathered during the Ghost takedown not only provided evidence of individual drug shipments but, more importantly, helped investigators piece together the network’s organisational structure.

On the action day, Europol deployed two experts with mobile offices to Spain and Ireland to provide immediate support in analysing and securing evidence. The investigation and the action day were supported by the @ON Network, funded by the EU (Project ISF4@ON), which facilitated in-person meetings and the deployment of Irish and Spanish officers during the action days.