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24 industrial-scale laboratories dismantled in the largest operation against synthetic drugs in history

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A large-scale police action, carried out as part of operation Fabryka, coordinated by Europol, led to the dismantling of a criminal network operating throughout the European Union. Coordinated efforts were carried out in Poland, as well as in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. These actions targeted a network suspected of importing large quantities of precursors used for the production of synthetic drugs in laboratories across several countries.

In addition, the network was involved in money laundering activities to promote its illicit operations. During the course of the investigation, law enforcement authorities determined that the network may have imported over 1,000 tonnes of precursors, enough to produce more than 300 tonnes of synthetic drugs such as MDMA, amphetamine and cathinone.

It is estimated that illegal activities generate billions in criminal profits for the criminal networks involved. The criminal assets flow into the legal economy, creating significant risks of market distortion, unfair competition, and systematic infiltration of legitimate businesses by organised crime.

The investigation began in 2024 based on intelligence shared by the Polish police, specifically by the Drug Crime Unit of the Wrocław Provincial Police Headquarters. The information provided by the police officers from Lower Silesia was critical to initiating the case and facilitating subsequent international cooperation within the taskforce. Between February 2025 and January 2026, more than 20 action days were carried out targeting connected criminal groups, their production facilities, and storage sites across Europe. The operation culminated in a coordinated action day against the alleged wholesale network responsible for the importation and distribution of chemical precursors.

This network was responsible for the importation, repackaging, and distribution of precursors used in the production of synthetic drugs. Chemicals, originating from China and India, entered the EU through various countries and were transported to Poland for repackaging and subsequent distribution in illegal laboratories across the EU. Since the start of the investigation in 2024, Europol supported action days aimed at different cells of the network, as well as connected groups involved in the production of synthetic drugs in laboratories.

The overall results from all action days (from February 2025 to January 2026) include more than:

• 20 action days: 85 arrests; 100 searches; as well as: 50 delivery points identified; 24 industrial-scale laboratories dismantled; 16 storage locations found; multiple seizures:

  • About €500,000 in cash.
  • 3,559 kilograms and 982 litres of drugs (including 4-CMC, cathinone, MDMA, amphetamine oil).
  • More than 120,000 litres of toxic chemical waste.
  • 1,000 tons of precursors (chemicals used for the production of synthetic drugs).

The operational structure of this criminal network was complex, with seven legitimate companies in Poland facilitating import and distribution activities, and a high-level leadership coordination connecting the various criminal groups from EU countries.

In some cases, the criminal cells operating within the broader network managed both the logistics for the supply of precursors and the coordination of production in clandestine laboratories. The main criminal network targeted by this investigation is predominantly composed of Polish nationals, with the involvement of some Belgian and Dutch citizens operating within interconnected groups.

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Chile: fear, crime, and politics in a security paradox

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Chile faces a paradoxical situation in terms of public security: despite having relatively low crime rates compared to other Latin American countries, the perception of insecurity among the population is one of the highest in the world. This contradiction became the central focus of political debate and the presidential electoral campaign, to the point that security is today the main concern among citizens.

Kast’s victory in the recent elections reflects many voters’ response to issues such as public security, illegal immigration and perceptions of insecurity or disagreements with the current economic or social model, which were central themes of the campaign.

According to an Ipsos poll, 63% of Chilean adults identify crime and violence as the issue that concerns them the most, a higher percentage than in countries such as Mexico or Colombia, which have much higher homicide rates. Globally, Chile ranks among the countries most concerned about insecurity and also among those where fewer people feel safe walking around their neighbourhood at night, according to reports by Ipsos and Gallup.

Daniel Johnson, Executive Director of the Paz Ciudadana Foundation, points out that with 6 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, the country is far from leading the statistics on violence in the region or the world.

Historically, Chile already had higher levels of fear of crime than the objective data indicated. However, this phenomenon has intensified in recent years, requiring further explanation. Studies by the Paz Ciudadana Foundation show that women and lower socioeconomic sectors express the highest levels of fear, especially in areas where the state’s presence is perceived as weak.

Although thefts and attempted thefts affect approximately one third of households—a figure similar to that of previous years—, what has really changed is the nature of the crime. Violent crime has increased significantly: the homicide rate has nearly doubled in a decade, violent robberies have grown by 25% in eight years, and previously rare crimes such as extortion and kidnappings, have started to gain prominence.

This change in the types of crime has a strong psychological impact on the population. Johnson points out that uncertainty about how to protect oneself against these new crimes significantly increases the feeling of vulnerability.

Another key factor is the expansion of organised crime, with the emergence of new organisations that operate differently from traditional ones. There has been an increase in the use of firearms, a rise in planned homicides, and the presence of transnational groups, some of which are linked to foreign nationals, such as the well-known case of Tren de Aragua.

Although immigration did not show a direct correlation with the increase in crime until 2020, authorities and research centres now observe a clear relationship between certain types of crime and foreign organisations, which often exploit both migrants and the local population. This has reinforced the perception that immigration and insecurity are linked, fuelling public and political debate.

Fear of crime is closely linked to mistrust in security and justice institutions. When citizens perceive that the state is not protecting them adequately, the reporting of crime declines, weakening the system’s response capacity and further eroding its legitimacy. However, Chilean police forces have managed to regain some of the trust lost after the social unrest.

Gabriel Boric’s government responded with significant institutional reforms, such as the creation of a Ministry of Security and mechanisms for inter-ministerial coordination. These measures are designed for the medium and long term, but they contrast with citizens’ demands for immediate responses, such as more patrols, lighting and cameras, although these actions have limited impact if they are not accompanied by structural changes.

In this context, security became a central theme of the electoral campaign. All candidates incorporated the discourse of insecurity, validating and amplifying existing fears. Historically, right-wing parties have prioritised control and repression, while the left has focused more on social policies. Today, however, a logic of urgency prevails, favouring short-term measures over preventive and reintegration policies, which are essential for a lasting solution.

Moreover, violent events in the region, such as large-scale police operations in Brazil and US military actions against drug trafficking, reinforce fears that Chile may follow the same path.

Chile is not one of the most violent countries in the world, but it is one of the most fearful. This gap between reality and perception, fuelled by changes in crime, the presence of organised crime, institutional mistrust and political exploitation, poses a major challenge: how to respond to the emergency without giving up on structural, long-term solutions? The future of security in the country will depend on the ability to combine effective control, institutional reforms and social policies that tackle the root causes of violence.

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International pressure on the major cocaine supply routes into Europe

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European and South American law enforcement authorities continue to intensify their efforts to dismantle the main criminal networks responsible for cocaine trafficking to Europe. Three recent operations, coordinated with the support of Europol, highlight both the complexity of the routes used by organised crime and the growing importance of international cooperation to address it. These actions have affected networks with connections to Colombia, Brazil, and Greece, and have allowed interventions at all stages of the criminal chain: from the origin of the drugs to their reception on the European continent.

The first investigation focused on a network led by a Dutch citizen who had direct contact with high-level traffickers in Colombia. The individual, 56 years old, resided in Ibiza but frequently travelled to The Netherlands and other European countries. According to the authorities, he coordinated the entry of large shipments of cocaine into Europe with the active support of his two sons.

The case came to light as a result of information obtained from the encrypted platform Sky ECC, a tool widely used by criminal organisations and which has been key in numerous European investigations. Based on this data, the Dutch police deployed surveillance operations, intelligence analysis, and wire-taps that allowed for the identification of ongoing attempts to coordinate new shipments.

The network was linked to six cocaine shipments intercepted in the United Kingdom, Spain and the Netherlands. On 2 December 2025, the main suspect was arrested in Ibiza, while his children, aged 31 and 23, were arrested in The Hague and Haarlem.

Major Brazilian operation against large-scale maritime trafficking

The second operation targeted a Brazilian criminal organisation specialised in large-scale maritime cocaine transport in Europe. The group was responsible for acquiring vessels, training crews, and modifying fishing boats to hide the drugs.

The routes used included departure points on the Brazilian coast and an intermediate stage in West Africa, before the final transfer to European waters.

A key moment in the investigation took place in November 2024, when Portuguese authorities, in collaboration with the Brazilian federal police and authorities from Cape Verde, intercepted a Brazilian-flagged fishing vessel off the west coast of Cape Verde. 1.6 tonnes of cocaine were found on board and six crew members were arrested.

Subsequently, in September 2025, law enforcement dismantled the European branch of the network, with 37 arrests in Spain, including the person responsible for the logistics infrastructure. Finally, on 11 December 2025, a coordinated operation in Brazil culminated in eight new arrests, including two high-value targets, and the seizure of assets worth over 1.5 million euros.

Greek criminal network and at-sea transfers

The third operation targeted a Greek criminal network that used the at-sea transfer method for cocaine trafficking. The group deployed a fishing vessel that left Greece, travelled a route passing through West Africa, and crossed the Atlantic to pick up a shipment from Latin America.

On 14 December 2025, authorities arrested ten suspects: five crew members at sea and five individuals in Greece, including one high-value target.

The key role of Europol and international cooperation

In both cases, Europol acted as the central hub of international cooperation, facilitating the exchange of information, providing analytical support, and coordinating operational meetings among the involved countries. Other key agencies such as Frontex and MAOC-(N) also participated, especially in maritime operations.

These actions are part of the broader European Union strategy against organised crime, coordinated through the EMPACT platform. The cases demonstrate that only through sustained, multilevel, and transnational cooperation is it possible to effectively tackle the structures that support cocaine trafficking to Europe.

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The contribution of NIST to fire safety: technology, tactics, and resilience

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Fire safety has undergone a profound transformation in recent decades, largely driven by scientific research from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)in the United States. In light of the evolution of buildings, combustible materials, and the operational conditions of firefighters, the NIST has provided the necessary technical foundation to update equipment, standards, and intervention strategies, with a direct impact on the protection of human lives.

One of the key areas has been the evaluation of the performance of equipment used in extreme conditions. In the case of thermal cameras, NIST developed the first tests capable of measuring whether these devices continued to detect small temperature differences when the camera itself was exposed to temperatures of up to 260 °C. This research allowed for the establishment of objective quality criteria, ensuring that firefighters have reliable tools in hostile environments.

With regard to portable radios, firefighters had detected communication failures during fires. NIST identified that the source of the problem was the deviation of the transmission frequency at high temperatures.

Another critical element is the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). The incidents of visors becoming opaque or melting led NIST to study the effect of intense radiant heat flow. Based on real-scale experiments and simulations, new tests and performance criteria were defined, improving the protection and visibility of firefighters during firefighting.

Despite the reduction in the number of structural fires since the end of the 20th century, firefighter mortality due to fire has increased. NIST demonstrated that this phenomenon was related to changes in architecture (larger and more airtight homes), the use of lightweight materials, and the increase in the fire load of modern furniture.

The research introduced the concept of fire dynamics, highlighting the importance of the rate of fire growth and the role of oxygen. A fire limited by oxygen can suddenly intensify when a door or window is opened, creating a flow path through which heat and smoke circulate. The message for the firefighters is clear: control the air inlets and avoid positioning themselves in those flow paths.

A particularly relevant example is that of fires in basements. NIST demonstrated that fire can grow violently under a floor that, on the surface, still seems safe. The evidence showed that applying water from the outside for just 60 seconds could drastically reduce the risk, changing historical tactics of interior attack.

Smoke detectors have significantly reduced fatalities since the 1970s, but changes in housing design and combustible materials have limited their effectiveness. NIST demonstrated that modern fires offer much less time to escape and that alarms are often disabled due to false kitchen alarms.

Based on trials with real furniture and kitchen scenarios, NIST provided the key data to develop a new generation of tests. Starting in 2024, all new detectors must meet a series of requirements, with the aim of increasing evacuation time and saving lives.

The expansion of housing in forested areas has drastically increased the risks of urban-forest interface fires. NIST has studied how fire spreads through radiation, convection, and, above all, through embers, capable of igniting buildings at great distances.

To analyse this phenomenon, NIST created the Firebrand Generator (NIST Dragon) and the Emberometer, tools that have become international references and the basis of the ISO 6021 standard. This knowledge has allowed for the definition of design criteria for façades, ventilation, and environments close to buildings.

At the community level, NIST has promoted methodologies such as the Hazard Mitigation Methodology (HMM) and the ESCAPE method (2023), which address both building resilience and urban planning and evacuation, already adopted by various communities.

Finally, the National Fire Research Laboratory (NFRL) allows for the testing of complete structures subjected to real fire and mechanical loads. This approach surpasses traditional testing and helps to understand how and when structural failure occurs, facilitating safer, more resilient, and efficient designs.

Overall, the work of NIST exemplifies how applied science can translate into standards, equipment, and strategies that enhance firefighter safety, reduce civilian casualties, and make communities more resilient to fire.

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Technology can prevent large forest fires, but in a coordinated manner

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Every time a large forest fire breaks out, the same question is asked: How is it possible that we have not been able to avoid it? Images of skies tinged with red, mass evacuations, and entire neighbourhoods reduced to ashes have become normalised in the news. In California, Australia, Canada, or the Mediterranean, fire is no longer perceived as an exceptional phenomenon, but rather as a new constant. But to accept it as fate is a mistake. The tools to drastically reduce the impact of large fires exist. What is lacking is coordination.

Forest fires are not just a natural problem. They are the result of a complex combination of factors: climate change, land management, disorderly urban growth, vulnerable infrastructures, and fragmented response systems. Millions of people today live in the urban-forest interface, areas where homes coexist with highly flammable vegetation. When the fire arrives, the human, economic, and environmental costs are enormous, even for those who do not directly lose their home.

Paradoxically, we have never had so much technology to face this challenge. Satellites capable of detecting ignitions within minutes, ground sensors that monitor risk conditions, artificial intelligence models that project the evolution of fire in real time, drones that map hazardous vegetation, and smart electrical grids that can disconnect before a spark causes a catastrophe. All of this already exists.

These technologies cannot—nor should they—eliminate fire completely. Fire is part of many ecosystems and is essential for their regeneration. But they can prevent a localised fire from turning into a large-scale disaster. They can reduce evacuations, save homes, protect critical infrastructures, and, above all, save lives.

The main problem is not technical, but institutional. The fire prevention and response system is deeply fragmented. Local, regional, and state governments, fire brigades with different competencies, forest management agencies, electric companies, insurers, research centres, technology companies, and local communities are involved. Each party has its own budgets, regulations, data systems, and purchasing processes. The result is an ecosystem in which innovating is difficult, and scaling solutions is even more complicated.

Many promising technological initiatives remain in pilot tests. Public agencies often cannot take the risk of purchasing new technology that is not yet fully validated. Innovative companies do not know which door to call. Foundations fund experiments, but not their large-scale implementation. And the communities with fewer resources are the ones that suffer the most from this lack of coordination, becoming even more exposed.

Other areas of public policy demonstrate that this can be done better. In national security, energy, or aviation, the United States has created agencies that act as a bridge between the public sector, research, and the market. These organisations do not invent technology, but rather identify promising solutions, help to test them, establish common standards, and facilitate their rapid delivery to end users.

What is lacking in the field of forest fires is a similar structure: a coordinating entity with a clear mandate to connect innovators, administrations, emergency services, utility companies, and communities. A neutral party that can detect emerging technologies, promote interoperability, help overcome bureaucratic obstacles, and direct investments towards prevention and mitigation, not just towards extinction when the fire is already out of control.

This does not mean replacing essential policies such as forest management, controlled burns, building codes, or urban planning. On the contrary, technology can make all these measures more efficient and fairer. It can provide better data to firefighters, more accurate alerts to the population, and a faster recovery after the disaster.

Some governments have already started to move in that direction. There are states that have created specific offices for fire innovation or centres of excellence for new aerial combat techniques. But without a coordinated vision at the national or supranational level, progress remains uneven and insufficient in the face of the magnitude of the challenge.

Large fires are not inevitable. They are, to a large extent, a reflection of collective decisions and systems that have not evolved at the pace of risk. If we have been able to transform air safety, hurricane prediction, or earthquake preparedness through investment and coordination, we can also do the same with forest fires. The technology is already there. Now political will and the capacity to organise it are needed.

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The abusive use of intimate relationships as a police infiltration tactic in the United Kingdom

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A former undercover officer of the Metropolitan Police of London, Mark Jenner, internally identified as agent HN15, has begun to testify before the UK Undercover Policing Inquiry, a public process that examines decades of covert operations against social, political, and trade union movements. Jenner operated during the nineties under the false identity of Mark Cassidy, infiltrating a left-wing activist group in East London, primarily linked to the Colin Roach Centre, a community and anti-racist organization, according to reports from BBC.comhand in hand with the researcher Ayshea Buksh.

One of the most serious aspects of the case is that Jenner maintained an intimate and cohabiting relationship for five yearswith an activist known as ” Alison ” (a fictitious name), while simultaneously being married and having children. The relationship included cohabitation, holidays in the United Kingdom and abroad, attendance at weddings, religious celebrations, and family gatherings. Alison considered Jenner her stable partner and was completely unaware that he was undercover police.

As stated in the investigation, this relationship was not clearly or honestly reflected in the official reports that Jenner submitted to his superiors at Scotland Yard. While with Alison, several trips were recorded administratively, such as operational meetings or follow-ups on political activities, when in reality they were personal holidays, including trips to Israel, Thailand, and Amsterdam. The personal photographs and videos presented in the investigation have confirmed this double life.

Alison recently testified before the investigation, just like Jenner’s ex-wife, who appeared anonymously. Both women have explained how they were simultaneously deceived for years, and they have pointed out that the police system allowed—through action or omission—this sustained deception. According to Alison, there are so many layers of lies that it is hard to believe that the direct commanders were not aware of it, or that they acted with serious incompetence.

During his initial statement, Jenner claimed that, in the context of infiltration, he considered it “necessary” to engage in sexual relations with women to preserve his cover, although he denied that sexual gratification was a benefit of the job. This statement has been met with strong indignation from the victims and their representatives, as it reinforces the perception that intimate relationships were used as an operational tool, despite the profound emotional impact on the affected individuals.

Alison has described the psychological consequences of discovering the truth as devastating, stating that she was very angry, deeply distressed, and physiologically altered. Over time, she has reinterpreted multiple episodes of the relationship as signs of deception: inexplicable absences, contradictions about his family, and even the discovery of a bank card belonging to M. Jenner, which he justified with a false story.

The case of Jenner is not an isolated incident. The investigation has revealed that at least 50 women may have been similarly deceived by undercover agents over several decades. This pattern has been described by victims as a form ofinstitutional abuse, with clear components of sexism, emotional manipulation, and violation of fundamental rights. Alison, along with other affected women, has promoted the platform Police Spies Out of Our Lives, aimed at raising awareness of the cases and demanding political and legal accountability.

From an institutional standpoint, the Metropolitan Police has publicly acknowledged the serious misconduct and completely unacceptable behaviour of some undercover officers and their superiors. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jon Savell has issued an unreserved apology to the affected women, admitting that these relationships were abusive, misleading, andwrong, and that they have eroded public trust in a policing tactic that, in other contexts, is considered legitimate for ensuring safety.

The police maintain that undercover work has been profoundly reformed in recent decades, with much stricter legal, ethical, and oversight frameworks. However, victims demand that these reforms be accompanied by real accountability, including the withdrawal of honours and recognitions from officers involved in abuse cases, as well as legislative changes that explicitly prohibit intimate relationships in undercover operations.

The investigation remains open, and Mark Jenner will testify for several more days. The affected women demand complete truth, clear responsibilities, and the recognition that the damage suffered was not due to individual abuse, but rather the result of a system that allowed and normalised deeply abusive practices under the guise of state security.

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Europol coordinates an operation to dismantle the Balkan cartel in Germany

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Europol supported and coordinated with the law enforcement authorities of Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Germany, and Serbia in carrying out a large-scale operation targeting a prominent cell of the so-called Balkan cartel. During the action day carried out in December 2025 in Germany, three suspects were arrested and more than 5 million euros in criminal assets were seized.

The coordinated operation targeted several high-value targets (HVT) residing in Germany, who are believed to be key figures within the Balkan cartel. The investigation revealed that this criminal cell was responsible for shipments of several tonnes of cocaine originating from Colombia and used various methods to smuggle drugs into Europe. The network was also involved in money laundering through companies and real estate in several countries within the European Union and beyond.

The police action, in which 500 law enforcement agents participated in the arrests and searched 45 locations, marks the culmination of a complex investigation into large-scale drug trafficking, money laundering, and arms trafficking. During the searches, approximately 50,000 euros in cash, two gold coins, numerous luxury items such as jewellery, watches, handbags, three high-value vehicles, as well as properties both in Germany and abroad were seized. In addition, several documents and electronic equipment were found and confiscated, as well as a firearm loaded with ammunition.

The three suspects arrested during the action day played various roles within the criminal network, such as financiers, coordinators, and logistics experts. The main suspect, who originates from the Balkan Peninsula and resides in Germany, is known for using a distinctive cocaine logo as a trademark.

In previous operations, Europol and its partner countries have already inflicted significant blows to the Balkan cartel. This includes numerous arrests made in recent years (for example, 13 arrests in May 2023 and 21 arrests in October 2023 during the action days). Europol played a crucial role in facilitating constant coordination, the exchange of information, and the provision of continuous analytical support to the investigation. The information developed during the operation revealed a sophisticated and well-organised network operating across continents and countries.

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Tank: inside the mind of one of the world’s most wanted hackers

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For more than fifteen years, Vyacheslav Penchukov – known in the digital underworld as Tank– was one of the most enigmatic and sought-after figures in international cybercrime. Charismatic, unpredictable, and astonishingly sociable, Penchukov did not stand out for exceptional technical skill, but rather for an innate ability to gain trust and build networks of collaborators. From Englewood prison in Colorado, where he is serving two nine-year sentences, he has given his first extensive interview, revealing unprecedented details about the operations, alliances, and mindset of the cyber gangs that have sown global chaos for two decades.

The story of Penchukov begins far from the Rocky Mountains that surround Englewood. In Donetsk (Ukraine), teenage hacking began by looking for tricks for video games such as FIFA 99 or Counter-Strike. Over time, this informal learning led him to head Jabber Zeus, a group that, in the late 2000s, used the sophisticated malware Zeusto infiltrate bank accounts of companies, municipalities, and NGOs. In just three months, more than 600 British victims lost over £4 million.

Tank was then a twenty-five-year-old man living among luxury German cars, late-night DJ sessions, and a secret office where he and his team stole money during six or seven-hour shifts. As explained, at that time cybercrime was easy money: unprotected banks, overwhelmed police, and a digital world that was poorly prepared.

But the party ended when the FBI intercepted their conversations on Jabber and discovered their identity from a banal detail: the birth of their daughter. An international operation, Trident Breach, resulted in multiple arrests, but Tank escaped thanks to a tip-off and the speed of his Audi S8 with a Lamborghini engine. After hiding for a while, he tried to reform himself by managing a coal business. However, the constant bribery of Ukrainian officials and the impact of the war in the Donbass pushed him back into criminal activity.

Starting in 2018, Penchukov returned with more strength, now immersed in the ransomware ecosystem, a business much more lucrative than traditional bank robbery. He was part of well-known groups such as Maze, Egregor, Conti, or IcedID, specialising in infecting corporate systems, extorting companies, and even hospitals. In his opinion, the profits could reach $200,000 per month, although there were rumours of million-dollar ransoms circulating within the criminal forums.

The hacker community, as explained, operates on a herd mentality: when a group achieves an exceptional haul, hundreds of imitators launch similar attacks without considering the human consequences. And for many of these offenders, victims are just numbers, and the damages are matters covered by insurance.

One of the most controversial aspects of his testimony is the natural confirmation that several ransomware groups maintained regular contacts with Russian security services, including the FSB. This hypothesis had already been pointed out by multiple Western agencies, but Tank describes these connections as common practice.

He also speaks of his former relationship with Maksim Yakubets, alleged leader ofEvil Corpoand subject of a $5 million bounty. They were friends, going out together in Moscow, and Yakubets, apparently obsessed with showing off his wealth, was surrounded by bodyguards. But when Yakubets was arrested in 2019, the cybercrime community turned its back on him. Penchukov claims that he himself avoided it out of fear of being related to it.

The capture of Penchukov in 2022 was worthy of a film: an operation in Switzerland with snipers on the rooftops, hooded agents, and his children as unwitting witnesses. He still considers that the operation was excessive, but the thousands of victims who have lost savings, jobs, or stability would likely disagree.

In Englewood, Tank spends his days studying languages, playing sports, and obtaining secondary school qualifications. In the final stretch of his confession, Penchukov admits that his downfall came from the very collaborators with whom he had shared fortune and risk. In cybercrime, he says, you can’t have friends. Everyone distrusted everyone; many, when they were arrested, became informants. Paranoia is the only constant in the criminal world.

Now, as he awaits a possible sentence reduction and faces a restitution order of $54 million, Tank looks back with a mix of pride, nostalgia, and justification. He speaks of the past with an almost romantic tone, like a distant adventure. But the traces of his legacy—ruined businesses, paralysed hospitals, affected families—still live on.

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A new report from Europol explores the use of robotics and unmanned systems in the fight against crime

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Europol has recently published the Unmanned future(s): The impact of robotics and unmanned systems on law enforcement. The report, prepared by the Europol Innovation Lab, provides an in-depth analysis of how unmanned systems could change society, crime, and law enforcement, and examines the challenges and opportunities they present.

The report highlights the rapid advancement and integration of unmanned systems in various sectors, including law enforcement. As these technologies become more sophisticated and widespread, they offer new opportunities for law enforcement operations and operational support. However, they also introduce new threats to security, such as misuse by criminal and terrorist groups, and regulatory challenges that law enforcement must address to ensure public safety and maintain trust.

One chapter of the report highlights the role of war as a driver of innovation in unmanned systems. Recent conflicts, such as the ongoing Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, have been a catalyst in the development and deployment of advanced unmanned systems. The lessons learned from these conflicts are invaluable for law enforcement in Europe as they prepare for the future operational environment.

Unmanned systems are becoming increasingly useful, affordable, and widely available, with applications in both the public and private sectors. Police forces across Europe are expanding the adoption of these systems, including drones and robots, to improve situational awareness, enhance safety, and broaden operational reach. These systems are used for a range of tasks such as surveillance, crime scene mapping, search and rescue operations, and explosive ordnance disposal, among others. Converging technologies present a significant opportunity for advancing the capabilities of unmanned systems.

The report highlights significant technical limitations and regulatory gaps that hinder the effective use of unmanned systems in law enforcement. Problems such as limited autonomy, dependence on industrial suppliers, and the lack of clear guidelines for autonomous operations pose significant challenges.

Criminal and terrorist groups are rapidly adopting unmanned systems for illicit activities. The report warns of the potential for these systems to be used for criminal surveillance, smuggling, and even attacks. The growing accessibility and versatility of drones, in particular, present serious security issues.

Public trust is crucial for the legitimacy of law enforcement capabilities. The report emphasises the need for transparency, accountability, and public participation in the deployment of unmanned systems. Current regulations, despite advancing, still have loopholes, especially when it comes to addressing non-compliant or criminal use.

The future of law enforcement will require police action in a three-dimensional space, as unmanned systems operate in the air and on the ground, as well as on and under water. This change will require new strategies, technologies, and training for the agencies responsible for law enforcement.

The report provides a set of recommendations for European law enforcement agencies, including the development of a strategic direction, the establishment of a competency hub, and the integration of unmanned systems into existing information systems. It also calls for investments in training, education, and initiatives to promote public trust.

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What do zombies and drug prevention have in common?

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When we think of drug prevention, it is unlikely that images of zombies walking down the streets come to mind. But in Dover, New Hampshire, U.S., this surprising combination has become a powerful educational tool. And it is just one of the many initiatives of Dover Youth to Youth (Y2Y), a pioneering programme led by youth working to reduce substance use in their community.

How did Dover Youth to Youth come about?

The project started in 1992, driven by the Dover Police Department, with a small group of eleven secondary school students. The objective was clear: to give a voice to young people and make them an active part of the solution to the problems of substance use and abuse.

Today, Y2Y is a vibrant organisation of more than 70 students aged between 11 and 18, distributed across several action teams. Students join for many reasons: interest in activism, personal experiences, or simply out of a desire to create positive change.

Y2Y activities are varied and very dynamic. Weekly, the teams meet to train and develop projects in four areas:

  • Education: Presentations in schools, workshops on medication safety, and community talks.
  • Community awareness: Creative campaigns and public events.
  • Public policy: Young people have contributed to the passage of eight municipal ordinances and three state laws.
  • Media: They have created more than 200 radio announcements and educational videos.

Among its most popular projects is The Zombie Project, a campaign that highlights the importance of participating in the DEA’s Drug Take Back Day. Days before the event, young people dress up as zombies to inform the public about the risks of keeping unnecessary medications at home. Their motto is direct and effective: ‘If you think zombies are scary, you better take a look inside your medicine cabinet’.

In 2013, Dover Youth to Youth was recognised as an evidence-based programme in New Hampshire. This distinction allowed them to expand their influence by providing training and resources to youth groups across the United States. One of its most important projects is the One Voice Youth Empowerment Toolkit, a comprehensive set of tools and guides for other communities to replicate its successful model.

The dramatic increase in fentanyl-related deaths has driven Y2Y to create new campaigns tailored to the current reality. In 2024, they launched Dealer is Not a Doctor, focused on the risks of counterfeit pills that mimic real medications but contain fentanyl in potentially lethal doses.

With the support of DEA agents and a large youth mobilisation, the campaign has included demonstrations, distribution of informational materials, and a strong media presence. The message is clear: Do not take any medication that has not been prescribed by a doctor. A ‘dealer’ is not a doctor and does not care for your health.

The main message of Dover Youth to Youth is that young people have the power to transform their community. Whether disguised as zombies, speaking in front of the town hall, or creating multimedia content, these students demonstrate that prevention is more effective when led by the young people themselves.

For any youth group that wants to start a similar project, Y2Y recommends not to reinvent the wheel: there are tools, national campaigns, and resources prepared to be used. What is important is to have passion, commitment, and the desire to create real change.

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