NewsFighting organised crime: coordinated action leads to 31 000 arrests between 2018-2021
Cross border criminal organisations are a threat to the security of all European citizens, including businesses and institutions, and the only way to stop them is by working closely together. Law enforcement authorities across all EU member states work together to fight criminal threats through investigations, seizures and other police operations.
The European multi-disciplinary platform against criminal threats (EMPACT) is the tool in place to tackle the most important threats posed by organised and serious international crime affecting the EU. The EU Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL) contributes to this platform through the provision of law enforcement training.
EMPACT closed its 2018-2021 cycle with tangible results in the fight against organised crime. These include:
- 17 723 international investigations and operations
- 31 584 people arrested
- 171 tons of drugs seized
- 18 085 potential victims of trafficking and child sexual exploitation identified
The results of the 2018-2021 cycle
are proof of EU joint commitment and determination to bring criminals to justice. CEPOL will continue contributing by delivering training activities through the new EMPACT cycle that has just started.
EMPACT tackles the most important threats posed by organised and serious international crime affecting the EU. It strengthens intelligence, strategic and operational cooperation between national authorities, EU institutions and bodies, and international partners. EMPACT runs in four-year cycles focusing on common EU crime priorities.
The 10 priorities for the 2018-2021 period were cybercrime, drugs trafficking, facilitation of illegal immigration, organised theft and burglary, trafficking in human beings, excise and missing trader intra community fraud, firearms trafficking, environmental crime, criminal finances and document fraud.
Full summary of results 2018-2021
The EU's fight against organised crime (background information)
Watch the video on EMPACT's 2021 results:
