
During an international police operation, 37 people were arrested as part of a "very violent" criminal gang from the Western Balkans, Europol announced.
The action was coordinated by Croatia.
This "powerful criminal cell" was mainly involved in large-scale drug and firearms trafficking across Europe, the European Union's law enforcement agency said.
"During the investigation, a total of 37 suspects were arrested, including the leader of the gang, a citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who Europol considers a high-value target and who is currently serving a four-year prison sentence in Italy," he said. Europol in a statement.
The leader of the gang is suspected of organizing the smuggling of drugs and firearms by giving orders to subordinates, even though he was in a cell, Europol adds.
At the same time, on Thursday, a series of raids were carried out in Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium and Germany against suspected gang members.
Along with the arrests, police seized about 148,000 euros in cash, 18 firearms, including two assault rifles, and 500 grams of TNT with remote detonators.
The police also seized 15 kilograms of cocaine, 11 kilograms of heroin, as well as smaller amounts of other drugs.
The international investigation followed what Europol described as a "complicated investigation" carried out by Croatian police as part of the "Balkan Cartel" Task Force./ REL