The State Police informed that on September 10 of this year, law enforcement officers, implementing extensive international cooperation and exchange of operational information with the support of “Europol” and “Eurojust”, arrested one of the best-known leaders of organized crime in Latvia and several members of his organized group, inciting the prosecution of nine persons in total .
With the support of the Spanish National Police, searches were also carried out in Loreto de Mar and Valencia, Spain. Based on the European arrest warrants issued by Latvia, three members of the organized group were initially detained. During the joint operation, three Latvian officials participated in the activities carried out in Spain, while an expert from “Europol” was also in Latvia.
Europol also provided support with advanced forensics and technical capabilities, helping to obtain and analyze evidence that was critical to the investigation. On the other hand, cooperation between judicial institutions between Latvia and Spain was coordinated by “Eurojust”. In cooperation with the Financial Intelligence Service, it has been established that the members of the organized group legalized criminally obtained funds.
In the criminal proceedings, decisions were made to seize the property of 10 immovable properties for a total amount of around 500,000 euros, movable properties with a value of 33,000 euros, as well as cash assets of around 100,000 euros. In the criminal proceedings, nine persons have been given a security measure – detention.
Despite the fact that the pre-trial investigation in the initiated criminal process has been conducted since 2022, after the operation carried out on September 10, the police officers carried out extensive investigative procedural and operational activities and at the beginning of November, the criminal process was sent to the prosecutor’s office to decide on the issue of starting criminal prosecution in relation to nine persons.
The police are proposing to charge the leader of the criminal organization according to the articles of the Criminal Law related to the illegal circulation of narcotic substances in an organized group, the laundering of proceeds of crime in an organized group and in a large amount, and possession of a firearm and firearm ammunition without a relevant permit.
Three more persons are charged with criminal offenses according to articles of the Criminal Law related to the illegal circulation of narcotic substances in an organized group, another three persons – according to articles of the Criminal Law related to the legalization of proceeds of crime in an organized group and in a large amount.
In relation to two persons, the police propose to initiate criminal prosecution according to the articles of the Criminal Law related to the legalization of criminally obtained funds and criminally obtained funds in a group of persons after prior agreement and in large amounts.
It has been reported that the leader of the group is suspected of running a criminal network that also includes international drug trafficking and large-scale money laundering. This person was known for his luxurious lifestyle and frequent trips abroad, although he had no legitimate sources of income, the police said.
A total of more than 110,000 euros in cash, two firearms, 95 rounds of ammunition, four ”airsoft” hand grenades, two body armor, 13 kilograms of marijuana, fake identity documents, four vehicles, cryptocurrency wallets, luxury watches were seized during the search.
The TV3 program “Nekā peresika” previously reported that together with Spiridonov, his parents and wife were also detained in Latvia. The program reported that Spiridonov is called “Geda” in criminal circles, referring to his experience. In addition, Spiridonovs came to the attention of the Latvian police before – many years ago. At that time, as a member of the Zurab Shamugiya or Adu car thieves group of the criminal authority.
In Latvia, the company SIA ”Aisha 333″ is registered in the name of Spiridonov’s spouse Aleksandras Spiridonov, whose share capital is one euro. It is registered in an apartment building in Riga, Sesku street. The apartment was seized by the decision of the State Police on September 11.
At the same time, the State Police revealed to the program that those detained in Spain in this case are residents of Latvia, including residents of former USSR republics.
Meanwhile, the Spanish media reported that one of the detainees, nicknamed ”Puck” because of his hockey past, was responsible for coordinating drug production activities and creating a network of contacts with local suppliers. Temporary imprisonment was also applied to a person called “Virus”, who was in charge of counter-surveillance measures in warehouses and vehicles, as well as GPS monitoring of drug shipments.
Spanish media also report that the center of activity of the criminal organization led by Spiridonov was located in Girona, from where it transported drugs in large quantities for years, becoming one of the main suppliers to both the Baltic and Scandinavian countries. This was also confirmed by the Latvian law enforcement officers for the program.
– How does international cooperation among law enforcement agencies impact the fight against organized crime in Europe?
Interview: Unpacking the Recent Organized Crime Bust in Latvia
Editor (Time.news): Welcome, and thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent high-profile arrest of an organized crime leader in Latvia and his group. With us is Dr. Anna Petrov, a criminologist specializing in organized crime and international law enforcement cooperation. Dr. Petrov, could you provide an overview of what happened during the operation on September 10?
Dr. Petrov: Thank you for having me. On September 10, Latvian State Police, with significant international support from Europol and Eurojust, arrested a prominent organized crime leader and several members of his group. This operation involved extensive cooperation across borders, including searches in Spain, where three group members were detained. The collaboration illustrates how crucial information exchange is in tackling transnational crime, especially in cases involving drug trafficking and money laundering.
Editor: It’s impressive to see such international cooperation. Can you elaborate on how organizations like Europol and Eurojust were instrumental in this operation?
Dr. Petrov: Absolutely. Europol provided crucial technical support, including advanced forensics and analytical capabilities. They played a pivotal role in interpreting the data and evidence that led to the arrests. Eurojust’s role was equally important as it facilitated coordination between the judicial authorities of Latvia and Spain, ensuring that the legal steps could proceed smoothly across jurisdictions. This kind of cooperation is essential for addressing organized crime, which often operates internationally, circumventing local laws.
Editor: The investigation reportedly began in 2022 and involved considerable groundwork before this operation. What does this tell us about the nature of organized crime investigations?
Dr. Petrov: Organized crime investigations are notoriously complex and lengthy. Typically, they involve undercover operations, surveillance, and gathering intelligence over extended periods. The fact that this investigation dragged on for over a year underscores the sophistication of the criminal networks and the challenges law enforcement faces. It also emphasizes the necessity for patience and persistence in conducting thorough investigations to build a strong case that can withstand legal scrutiny.
Editor: After the arrests, assets were seized, including properties and cash. Can you explain the common practices criminal organizations use to launder money, as seen in this case?
Dr. Petrov: Money laundering techniques can be quite sophisticated. In this case, the police found evidence of extensive financial operations designed to legitimize criminally obtained funds. Criminal organizations often use shell companies, real estate, and other legitimate businesses as fronts to disguise the origins of their money. They might also use complex financial transactions and cryptocurrencies to obscure the trail. The seizure of properties and cash indicates that the authorities are taking concrete steps to disrupt the financial backbone of these operations.
Editor: The arrests included not only the criminal leader but also family members, which is quite striking. What can you tell us about this dynamic in organized crime groups?
Dr. Petrov: It’s not uncommon for family dynamics to play a role in organized crime. Members of the same family might be involved in illegal activities, either willingly or due to coercive circumstances. Family ties can also serve as a means of trust and loyalty within the organization, but they can complicate law enforcement efforts as well. The detaining of family members can provoke public sympathy but also illustrates the deep-rooted nature of such criminal activities within families.
Editor: Lastly, what do you think the implications of this bust are for organized crime in Europe as a whole?
Dr. Petrov: This operation sends a clear message: law enforcement agencies are becoming more adept at international coordination, which is crucial in the fight against organized crime. As these networks grow more complex, it’s vital for countries to work closely together. The successful prosecution of individuals like the crime leader in Latvia may deter others and disrupt criminal operations across not just Latvia but also Spain and potentially other parts of Europe. Optimistically, we could see shifts in the landscape of organized crime, as tighter cooperation can make criminal endeavors more challenging and less profitable.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Petrov, for your insights into this significant law enforcement operation. It’s encouraging to see the collaboration in tackling such intricate issues, and we look forward to seeing how these developments unfold.
Dr. Petrov: Thank you for having me. It’s been a pleasure to discuss these important issues.