Eurojust-backed probe dismantles Brazil–Europe cocaine trafficking ring after 124kg shipment seized in France.
An international investigation supported by Eurojust has dealt a major blow to a cocaine trafficking network operating between Brazil and Europe.
The operation followed the discovery of 124 kilograms of cocaine hidden aboard a cargo ship arriving in the French port of La Pallice in La Rochelle from Brazil. The seizure triggered a cross-border investigation involving authorities from both countries.
The probe marked the first joint investigation team (JIT) formed between French and Brazilian authorities with support and funding from Eurojust. The JIT framework allowed investigators to exchange intelligence and evidence in real time while coordinating actions against members of the criminal network.
On 10 March, authorities carried out coordinated operations targeting the group’s activities around the Port of Santos in Brazil, a major international shipping hub. The action resulted in two arrests and eight property searches in Santos and the nearby city of Valinhos.
During the searches, investigators seized several assets believed to be linked to the trafficking network, including vehicles, weapons, and luxury watches. One additional suspect was questioned as a witness during the investigation.
Earlier actions linked to the investigation also targeted the network’s operations in Portugal, where three suspected cocaine importers were arrested and later surrendered to France for prosecution.
Authorities believe the criminal group managed the logistics of transporting cocaine from Brazil to Europe through international shipping routes. Investigators say members were responsible for coordinating the loading of narcotics onto cargo vessels and laundering the profits generated by the trafficking operation.
Officials say the operation highlights the growing importance of judicial cooperation between countries in tackling transnational drug trafficking networks operating across multiple continents.
Reports are sourced from official documents, law-enforcement updates, and credible investigations.
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