On September 10 of this year, the State Police, implementing extensive international cooperation and exchange of operational information, with the support of Europol and Eurojust (European Union Agency for Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters) arrested one of the best-known leaders of organized crime in Latvia.
He is suspected of running a criminal network that also includes international drug trafficking and large-scale money laundering. This person was known for his lavish lifestyle and frequent trips abroad, even though he had no legitimate sources of income. To avoid arrest, he traveled daily in a specially equipped vehicle accompanied by three armed bodyguards, thus demonstrating the high security options available to him.
Simultaneously carrying out coordinated arrests and searches during a joint operation (joint action day) in Riga, Latvia, officers of the 2nd Division of the Department of Serious and Serial Crimes of the Main Criminal Police Department of the State Police in cooperation with the Anti-Terrorism Unit of the State Police “OMEGA”, involving all the Organized Crimes of the State Police employees of the Office for Combating Serious and Serial Crimes, colleagues from the Office for Combating Cybercrimes of the State Police and the Office for Combating Economic Crimes, as well as employees of the Canine Department of the State Revenue Service, were detained by another nine members of the same organized criminal group.
On the other hand, with the support of the Spanish National Police (Policia Nacional), six more people were detained in Lloret de Mar and Valencia, Spain. Three of the suspects were detained in Spain on the basis of European arrest warrants issued by Latvia.
Seizures in total seized:
• more than EUR 110,000 in cash;
• two firearms, 95 rounds of ammunition, four airsoft hand grenades, two armored vests;
• 13 kilograms of marijuana;
• forged identity documents;
• four vehicles;
• cryptocurrency wallets;
• luxury watches;
• as well as decisions have been made regarding the seizure of property – ten real estates with a total value of around 500,000 euros.
This was one of the priority investigations of the State Police as well as Europol. Through close cooperation, all authorities obtained the necessary information to identify the activities of this organized criminal group. Close cooperation with the Spanish National Police provided essential support to the investigation.
During the joint operation, three Latvian officials participated in the activities carried out in Spain, while a Europol expert was also in Latvia. It should be noted that Europol also provided technical and forensic support, helping to obtain and analyze evidence that will be of vital importance in the further investigation. On the other hand, cooperation between judicial institutions between Latvia and Spain was coordinated by Eurojust.
The State Police reminds that no person is considered guilty until his guilt has been proven in accordance with the law.
2024-09-25 07:49:09