Police have arrested 22 suspects in an operation across five countries that dismantled one of Europe’s top criminal groups behind drug trafficking and assassinations, the EU’s police agency has said. The “highly professional and dangerous” gang was involved in “large-scale drug and cigarette trafficking, assassinations and money laundering”, netting an estimated €680m (£600m) over the past two years, it said. The group used specialised encrypted communication devices and counter-surveillance techniques to try to stay a step ahead of police, Europol said. The third man charged was Marius Stancikas, 40, from Broad Street in Coventry, who has pleaded not guilty to the same money-laundering charge. All three men have been remanded in custody and will next appear at Birmingham crown court in June.

Source: The Guardian May 22, 2019 09:41 UTC