Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the functioning of police forces and the criminal justice system. From the analysis of digital evidence to the automatic drafting of documents or the identification of criminal patterns, these technologies promise to improve efficiency and reduce the workload of professionals. However, a new study led by Northumbria University warns that the implementation of these tools is advancing more rapidly than the necessary control, oversight, and regulatory mechanisms to ensure safe, transparent, and responsible use.

The study, developed over four years as part of the PROBabLE Futures project, constitutes the most comprehensive map created to date on the use of AI in the criminal justice system of England and Wales. Researchers have identified a total of 70 artificial intelligence tools that are already operational, in testing phase, or in development. Of these, 27 are already being used operationally, while 34 are in pilot phases. More than half have been developed by private companies, a fact that also highlights the growing role of the technology sector in this area.

The detected applications are very diverse. They include automatic transcription of statements, assisted drafting of reports, classification of calls to emergency centres, analysis of large volumes of information to detect criminal patterns, identification of vulnerable individuals, management of digital evidence, drafting of legal documents, and facial recognition systems. There are also tools aimed at the well-being of officers, capable of identifying indicators of stress or psychosocial risk.

Researchers acknowledge that many of these applications provide real benefits when implemented correctly. Repetitive and administrative tasks can be automated, allowing professionals to dedicate more time to activities that require human judgement. Similarly, automated data analysis can facilitate faster investigations and help detect relevant information that might be overlooked in a manual review.

However, the main message of the report is that these advantages are only sustainable when the tools have been designed to address specific problems, have undergone rigorous testing, and operate under robust oversight mechanisms. According to the authors, this situation is not yet widespread, and in many cases, the speed of adoption exceeds the capacity of institutions to assess risks and establish clear governance standards.

One of the highlights of the study is the criticism of the concept of human in the loop, that is, the idea that a person always reviews the decisions or recommendations generated by AI before they have practical effects. In theory,

this mechanism should ensure that the final responsibility continues to rest with the individuals.

However, researchers observe that this oversight is often more formal than effective. When a tool demonstrates a high level of accuracy, users tend to trust it excessively and stop reviewing its results with the same attention. This creates a false sense of security: errors are infrequent, but when they occur, they are more likely to go unnoticed and can lead to significant consequences, especially in sensitive areas such as police investigations or judicial processes.

The report also warns of another emerging risk: the connection of various AI systems within the same process. If the information produced by one tool automatically feeds into another, any initial error can be transmitted and amplified throughout the entire decision chain. This phenomenon, known as «AI system chaining», has still been little studied, but the authors believe it deserves priority attention.

To address these challenges, the study formulates 26 recommendations aimed at public administrations, law enforcement agencies, the judicial system, technology providers, and the scientific community. Among the proposed measures are the conduct of independent assessments of all AI tools, the creation of public registries to know which systems are in use, the establishment of more stringent standards for their acquisition and validation, better training for professionals, and specific research on the risks arising from the interaction between different artificial intelligence systems.

In short, the study does not question the usefulness of AI in the police field nor does it advocate for halting innovation. On the contrary, it concludes that these technologies can bring great value when used responsibly and transparently. The real challenge is to ensure that technological development is accompanied by a robust framework of governance, oversight, and accountability. Only in this way will it be possible to harness the benefits of artificial intelligence without compromising fundamental rights, the quality of investigations, and the trust of citizens in security institutions.

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Artificial intelligence is making significant inroads into police forces across the United States. Companies such as Axon claim that their automated writing tools can produce police reports more quickly and to a higher standard. However, a new study casts doubt on this narrative and raises important questions regarding oversight, report quality and institutional risks.

The research analyses police reports drafted with AI assistance and compares them with reports written in the conventional manner. The experiment was designed as a “triple-blind” study: neither the moderators reviewing the documents, nor the researchers managing the assessments, nor the participants knew which texts had been generated with the support of artificial intelligence. In total, 92 experienced police moderators—sergeants, lieutenants and senior officers with an average of nearly 22 years’ experience—reviewed 80 police reports using standard quality criteria.

The findings are particularly significant because they debunk a widely held belief: that AI-generated texts appear “better” simply because they sound more professional. The computational analysis confirms that AI-assisted reports use more complex language that is less readable and has a higher reading level. In other words, they use more elaborate sentences, more sophisticated vocabulary and a more formal structure. But this sophistication does not translate into a better operational assessment.

In fact, moderators rated the AI-generated reports lower in terms of precision and accuracy. Although the overall differences in quality were not huge, all the dimensions analysed showed negative trends for AI-assisted reports. And there is one particularly worrying detail: moderators approved virtually the same percentage of reports regardless of whether they were written using AI or not. Approximately 22% of the documents were approved “as they stood”, regardless of their origin.

This reveals a central problem: moderators do not detect the qualitative consequences introduced by AI. And even more importantly, they cannot identify which reports have been written with the support of artificial intelligence. When asked to distinguish between them, the results were equivalent to flipping a coin. Their ability to identify them was virtually non-existent.

This point is key from the perspective of security and technological governance. Many public policies assume that human oversight will act as a safeguard against AI errors or biases. But the study suggests that this confidence is misplaced. If moderators are unable to detect either the use of AI or the problems it introduces, the “human oversight” model can become a false sense of security.

The researchers identify two structural problems. The first is readability. AI systems tend to generate more complex and artificial texts, but moderators do not view this complexity negatively because internal quality criteria do not place sufficient emphasis on the clarity and comprehensibility of the text. This is particularly problematic because police reports are not only read by police officers: they are also reviewed by prosecutors, lawyers, judges, journalists and, in some cases, lay juries. A report that is harder to read is not necessarily a better report.

The second problem is architectural. Tools such as Draft One, developed by Axon, operate primarily on the basis of audio transcripts. This means that AI can only write what it “hears”. But many important elements of a police intervention do not appear in the audio: gestures, expressions, environmental context, visible objects or the officer’s direct perceptions. The moderators partially detected this lack of complexity, but continued to approve the reports nonetheless.

The research also challenges a common assumption in the debate on AI: that the problems can be solved simply by better training moderators to “detect” artificially generated content. The authors argue that this approach is misguided. Human detection is unreliable and is unlikely ever to be consistently reliable. That is why they propose more structural alternatives: retaining the original drafts, recording which data the AI has used, maintaining a history of amendments, and implementing automated audit systems.

Ultimately, the study highlights a deeper issue. Police reports are not merely administrative documents; they are narrative pieces with significant legal and operational consequences. A good report is not the one that sounds the most sophisticated, but the one that correctly selects relevant information, is comprehensible and stands up to judicial scrutiny. AI can improve the formal appearance of the text, but that does not guarantee better actual quality.

For security professionals, this research serves as a clear warning: incorporating AI into police workflows can reduce the administrative burden and speed up processes, but it can also introduce new, invisible risks to the very moderators tasked with overseeing them. The governance of these tools cannot be based solely on trust in human oversight. Technical mechanisms, audits and new quality criteria are needed, tailored to an era in which texts may appear flawless whilst concealing significant shortcomings.

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Europol has announced the results of a new international operation focused on the identification of victims of online child sexual exploitation. Between 13 and 24 April 2026, specialists from 31 countries, along with experts from INTERPOL, gathered at Europol’s headquarters in The Hague for a new edition of the Victim Identification Taskforce (VIDTF). The operation provisionally identified 12 minors who were victims of sexual abuse and generated over 200 investigative leads that have already been forwarded to the competent national authorities.

The initiative highlights the global dimension and the increasing complexity of child sexual exploitation on the Internet, as well as the need for constant international cooperation to combat this type of crime. During the operation, the experts analysed 317 datasets related to victims of various ages—from very young children to adolescents—and of multiple nationalities. The main objective was to identify visual, geographical, or contextual clues that would allow for the location of both the victims and the perpetrators of the crimes.

To this end, Europol has been using the IVAS (Image-Video Analysis System) since 2016, an advanced platform for the analysis of images and videos that allows for the classification and correlation of large volumes of child sexual abuse material. Since its implementation, the system has processed over 118 million unique files provided by various police forces from around the world. This enormous database facilitates the detection of patterns, the connection between cases, and the identification of new victims.

The accumulated results of the VIDTF operations between 2014 and 2026 show the impact of this model of international cooperation. During this period, more than 8,500 data sets have been analysed and nearly 3,500 intelligence packages for police investigations have been generated. Thanks to these actions, national authorities have been able to identify and protect 1,190 victims and arrest 330 offenders linked to child sexual exploitation networks.

According to Europol, the methodology of the VIDTF has established itself as one of the most effective tools in the fight against this type of crime. Bringing together specialists from different countries in the same environment facilitates the rapid exchange of information, the coordinated analysis of digital evidence, and the sharing of technical and investigative knowledge. This collaboration is especially important in a context where criminals operate transnationally and use encrypted platforms, anonymisation services, and distributed networks to hide their activity.

Another relevant aspect is the continuous growth of the volume of child sexual abuse material available on the Internet. Europol warns that, despite police and technological efforts, millions of files continue to circulate online.

The European body also highlights the importance of citizen collaboration. Through the platform «Stop Child Abuse – Trace an Object», Europol publishes images of objects or visual fragments present in unresolved cases so that anyone can provide leads anonymously. This initiative has already contributed to identifying 31 victims thanks to information provided by citizens. The aim is to take advantage of any seemingly insignificant detail – an object, a logo, a piece of clothing – that may help locate the victim or determine the place where the abuses occurred.

The recent operation involved European countries as well as other regions of the world, including France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada , and Australia, among many others. This international dimension highlights that online child sexual exploitation is a global problem that requires a coordinated and sustained response.

Finally, Europol also emphasises the importance of the language used to refer to these crimes. The agency recommends avoiding the term «child pornography» and using expressions such as «child sexual abuse material» or «child sexual exploitation material», as the former may convey a false perception of consent or legality. Each image or video represents a real situation of abuse and victimisation, and the language used is key to adequately reflect the seriousness of the events.

These types of operations demonstrate that the combination of technology, shared intelligence, and international cooperation remains a fundamental tool for protecting minors and pursuing the criminal networks that operate on the Internet.

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Ethiopia is experimenting with a new model of police station called smart police station. This pilot project, installed in the Bole district of the capital, Addis Ababa, is part of a broader government effort to modernise public administration through digitalisation. The initiative is part of the national technological transformation strategy Digital Ethiopia 2030, driven by the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

As reported by Daniel Dadzie from the BBC, unlike a traditional police station, this new model operates without officers physically present to assist citizens. Instead of a counter with police officers, the space has booths with digital tablets where users can file complaints or report incidents. The system guides the citizen through a simple process: first, they must select the type of incident, such as a crime, a traffic issue, or a general inquiry, and then enter the corresponding information. Once the request is submitted, a real officer, located in a remote location, appears on a screen to continue the conversation, ask questions, and complete the report. If the situation requires it, a patrol can be sent immediately to the indicated location.

This model seeks to bring police service closer to citizens and facilitate access to reporting, especially in areas where there is a lack of police personnel or where the presence of traditional infrastructures is limited. According to project leaders, the future of security services lies in systems that are more connected to the population and with greater technological integration. Digitalisation allows for the reduction of administrative procedures, accelerates case management, and optimises available human resources.

However, the project is still in an initial phase. During its first week of operation, the smart police station only received three reports: the loss of a passport, a case of financial fraud, and a routine complaint. This reduced volume reflects that the system is still little known among the population and that it needs time for citizens to become familiar with it.

The initiative is part of a broader process of digitising public services in Ethiopia. The government has promoted various measures to modernise administration, including the creation of a national digital identity system, the expansion of electronic payments, and the digitisation of more than a hundred government services. The objective is to adapt public institutions to the needs of an increasingly urban, young, and connected society.

Despite these advances, the country still faces significant structural challenges. One of the main issues is the digital divide. According to recent data from international organisations, approximately 79% of the Ethiopian population still does not have access to the Internet. This reality limits the impact of digital initiatives and creates the risk that certain sectors of society may be excluded from new services. Elderly people, rural communities, and groups with fewer economic resources are especially vulnerable to this technological exclusion.

Another challenge is the level of digital skills. For projects like smart police stations to function correctly, citizens must have a minimum level of familiarity with digital tools. Without this technological literacy, the use of systems can become complicated or even create new forms of vulnerability, such as scams or identity theft.

There are also concerns related to information security and privacy protection. Digital reporting and data management systems require robust technological infrastructures and adequate protection mechanisms to prevent leaks or misuse of citizens’ personal information.

Despite these challenges, several experts believe that investments in digital infrastructure, connectivity, and training are essential steps to modernise the functioning of the State. The expansion of broadband, the growth of electronic payments, and the progressive digitalisation of public services indicate that Ethiopia is trying to reduce the technological gap with other countries.

In this context, the smart police station of Addis Ababa mainly represents an experiment. It is still not a consolidated model, nor does it replace traditional police stations, which remain the main point of contact between the police and the public. However, this pilot project offers a glimpse of how police services could evolve in the future, combining physical presence and digital tools to enhance efficiency and accessibility.

Ultimately, the initiative reflects Ethiopia’s ambition to move towards a more digital and efficient public administration. However, its success will depend not only on the technology implemented but also on the country’s ability to reduce the digital divide, improve the technological literacy of the population, and ensure data security. Only in this way can projects like smart police stations become a truly useful tool for reinforcing security and trust between citizens and institutions.

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During the month of February 2026, Europol supported the police authorities of Ukraine, Poland, and Moldova in a joint operation against an international criminal network involved in the production and trafficking of synthetic drugs, primarily synthetic cathinones such as alpha-PVP.

During the action day, the Ukrainian National Police and the Polish Police Central Bureau of Investigation carried out coordinated checks at approximately 510 locations. Law enforcement officers dismantled 36 illicit production sites and 74 storage facilities for drugs that are ready for distribution. A total of 129 people were investigated and 103 people were arrested.

The investigated network is suspected of operating in several countries, such as Bulgaria, Moldova and Ukraine. The group is presumably led by a Ukrainian organiser who establishes and equips illegal laboratories with the necessary hardware and chemical substances. Investigators believe that this individual maintains extensive connections with Polish criminal networks, facilitating the supply of precursors, essential chemicals, and equipment through legal business structures.

The operation included house searches and the inspection of other premises and vehicles. In total, the investigation involved the following confiscations:

• 20,610 litres of precursors
• 229.4 kilograms of alpha-PVP
• 156.3 kilograms of amphetamine
• 46.6 kilograms and 284 litres of phenyl-2-nitropropene
• 2 kilograms of metallic sodium
• 67.6 kilograms and 350 litres of mephedrone
• 7 kilograms of methamphetamine
• 47 kilograms of cannabis
• 5,115 MDMA tablets
• 2,000 ecstasy pills
• 1.6 million UAH (around €31,000), $167,000 (around €141,000), and €39,000 in cash
• virtual assets worth $45,000 (around €38,000)
• 41 vehicles

The criminal network employed various tactics to facilitate the operation of its illicit activities. It misused legal business structures operated by Polish and Lithuanian individuals with prior involvement in the illicit production of synthetic drugs. This allowed them to import chemicals, including precursors that are not yet subject to control, and facilitate the activities of several illegal laboratories detected in various countries. By operating in multiple member states and exploiting legal loopholes, the network increased the risk of exposure and made it difficult for law enforcement authorities to disrupt their activities.

Europol’s contribution to the operation included operational and analytical support, focusing on providing real-time data and facilitating the exchange of information during the days of action. This collaborative effort aimed to disrupt the activities of the network and strengthen the fight against the production and trafficking of synthetic drugs in Europe.

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An investigation led by Bulgaria, conducted in collaboration with the Hellenic police and with the support of Europol, has resulted in the dismantling of an organised criminal network involved in smuggling migrants from Turkey through Bulgaria and subsequently through Serbia or Romania to countries in Western Europe. The investigation was conducted within the framework of a regional operational task force established to combat smuggling networks that use Bulgaria as a trafficking country.

The police action day resulted in 16 arrests, 6 house and business searches, and the seizure of mobile devices, administrative documents, vehicle registration documents, accounting notebooks, and other records.

The migrant smuggling network operated with a pyramid structure, with members performing different roles. The core group, based in Sofia, was primarily composed of Bulgarian and Syrian nationals who acted in a highly coordinated manner. Their main role was to organise trafficking through Bulgaria while maintaining close cooperation with other criminal networks based in neighbouring countries. For example, payment for smuggling services had already been arranged before departure. Migrants were required to make a deposit through hawala offices in Turkey, from where the migrants departed.

After recruiting migrants in Turkey, the members of the criminal network smuggled them across the southern green border of Bulgaria, guiding them to predefined locations. From there, the drivers transported them to Sofia using a variety of vehicles, including cars and buses. Migrants were temporarily housed in safe houses in Sofia and its surrounding areas before being moved towards the Bulgarian-Serbian or Bulgarian-Romanian borders. In some cases, the migrants were transported directly to the border areas without temporary accommodation.

Europol carried out a wide-ranging operational analysis to identify the various targets and map their criminal activities. Europol deployed an expert in Sofia as part of the regional operational task force and was on the ground during the action day, providing real-time cross-checks with Europol databases to support the national law enforcement authorities.

Since its establishment in September 2023, Europol has been providing dedicated operational and analytical support to the operational task force led by Bulgaria. Europol organised and coordinated numerous operational meetings among stakeholders and facilitated the exchange of operational data.

Migrant smuggling continues to be a very significant criminal threat in the EU, requiring coordinated action across the entire criminal chain, from recruitment and trafficking to the financial flows that support it. Europol supports investigations through a data-driven approach, enhancing cases provided by national authorities with operational analysis and expertise. Europol also facilitates the exchange of information and coordinates joint operations to dismantle criminal networks.

To reinforce Europol’s efforts to combat migrant smuggling, Regulation (EU) 2025/2611 was adopted in December 2025. This new EU legislation underscores the importance of addressing migrant smuggling at the EU level through enhanced cooperation, including the establishment of the European Centre against Migrant Smuggling (ECAMS).

When creating the ECAMS, Europol’s priority is to ensure a better systematic exchange of information and improved coordination of efforts. This includes strengthening expertise in open-source intelligence (OSINT) and financial investigations, as well as improving the operational impact of the network of liaison officers from Frontex, Eurojust, and the Member States.

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The UK government has presented the White Paper «From Local to National: A New Model for Policing«, which establishes the most profound reforms of the police system since its professionalisation two centuries ago. Announced by the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, these measures aim to adapt the police to an increasingly complex, digital, and transnational criminal environment, while strengthening community policing and citizen trust.

One of the pillars of the reform is the structural review of the police map. Currently, England and Wales have 43 local forces, a model that the government considers fragmented and inefficient. The White Paper proposes to drastically reduce this number through mergers, with the aim of improving efficiency, reducing costs, and ensuring a more coherent and homogeneous response throughout the territory.

This reorganisation aims to free up resources to strengthen Neighbourhood Policing and the fight against local crime, returning the police to its fundamental principles: visible presence, community knowledge, and rapid response to incidents.

The most ambitious reform is the creation of a new National Police Service, designed to tackle the most serious and complex crimes, such as organised crime, terrorism, digital crime, and threats that transcend local borders.

This new service will integrate, under a single structure, capabilities that have until now been dispersed, such as the National Crime Agency, Counter-Terrorism policing, regional organised crime units, road policing, and police air services. The result will be a national force with improved capacity to share intelligence, technology, and resources.

At the head of the National Police Service, there will be a national commissioner, who will become the highest police authority in the country. One of its key functions will be to take over the centralised management of forensic policing, including digital forensics, to reduce delays —currently with tens of thousands of devices pending analysis— and ensure uniform technical standards.

The new national model will eliminate the duplication of recruitment and technology acquisition processes. Instead of each force purchasing its own equipment, the National Police Service will acquire materials and ICT systems centrally, generating economies of scale.

The Government estimates that these measures will allow for savings of up to 350 million pounds, which will be reinvested directly in frontline policing and in the fight against crime.

The White Paper significantly reinforces accountability mechanisms. Ministers will have new powers to intervene in underperforming forces, including the ability to dismiss police chiefs who do not meet the required standards.

Clear and comparable indicators on response times, crime resolution, victim satisfaction, and public trust will be introduced. These results will be published and will allow citizens to compare the performance of the forces.

At the same time, the individual standards of rural agents will be strengthened by:

• mandatory and stricter verification controls,
• exclusion from the profession of individuals with a history of violence against women and girls,
• mandatory suspension of agents under investigation for these crimes,
• and the introduction of a renewable professional license, similar to that of other regulated professions.

The reform establishes new national response objectives: arrival at serious incidents within a maximum of 15 minutes in urban areas and 20 minutes in rural areas, and response to emergency calls in less than 10 seconds.

In addition, the Neighbourhood Police Guarantee is expanded, ensuring that each electoral district has assigned, identifiable, and accessible officers with a deep understanding of local issues. The Government is also promoting a programme to recruit university graduates, inspired by the Teach First model, to attract young talent to community policing roles.

With an investment of over £140 million, the Government is committed to police technology. They highlight the expansion of live facial recognition, the deployment of artificial intelligence tools to analyse images and digital evidence, and the creation of the national centre Police.

These tools will reduce bureaucratic burdens and return millions of hours of work to the front line of policing, increasing the presence of officers on the street.

Finally, the White Paper introduces new national leadership in public order, with the capacity to coordinate resources in situations of serious disorder, and significantly strengthens support for the mental health of the officers. There is also a goal to revitalize the Special Police, particularly by incorporating technical profiles and cybersecurity experts, to more effectively combat modern crime.

Overall, the White Paper outlines a profound structural change: a more centralised police force for major crimes, closer to citizens at the local level, with higher standards, more technology, and stricter governance. An ambitiously designed model to respond to the security challenges of the 21st century.

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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 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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Last November 2025 marked a turning point in the fight against the illegal trafficking of works of art and cultural goods in Europe. During an action day coordinated by the Bulgarian authorities, with the support of Europol and the participation of agents from up to six countries, an extensive criminal network dedicated to the looting and illicit trade of Greco-Roman and Thracian antiquities was dismantled.

This operation is the result of years of research and international cooperation and puts the spotlight on a phenomenon that has a major impact on European and world cultural heritage.

It all started in 2020, when a house raid in Bulgaria culminated in the seizure of 7,000 priceless cultural assets. The lack of reliable documentation and the large number of objects set off all the alarms: it was, in all probability, one of the largest sets of looted antiquities discovered in the country.

Among these objects were:

• masks and antique jewellery,
• military equipment,
• ceremonial vases and cups,
• unique pieces dating back to 2000 BC.

Since then, the collection has been kept in custody at the Bulgarian National History Museum, while a far-reaching investigation progressed that has ultimately revealed a highly organised cross-border criminal network.

The action day was as impressive as it was meaningful:

• 35 arrests in Bulgaria.
• 131 searches in several countries (Bulgaria, Albania, France, Germany and Greece).
• More than 3,000 goods seized, including gold and silver coins.
• Total estimated value: more than 100 million euros.
• In addition, works of art, weapons, documents, electronic equipment, gold and more than 50,000 euros in cash were seized.

The main High Value Target (HVT) of the investigation is suspected of financing illegal excavations in Bulgaria and other Balkan countries. The mechanism was clear: groups of local looters excavated archaeological sites to order, and intermediaries laundered the pieces through the international art market.

The case highlights a reality well known to investigators: the art market is a fertile ground for criminal activities. The demand for unique objects and the difficulty of verifying their provenance facilitate the entry of illegally looted artefacts.

The Balkans and Italy, rich in Greco-Roman archaeological heritage, have been the target of antiquities trafficking networks for decades. And this problem is not local: pieces from conflict zones such as Syria or Iraq are often mixed in.

Since 2024, a Europol task force has been instrumental in connecting dots, linking suspects and identifying devices scattered across several countries. This model of cooperation – combining analytics, information sharing and joint actions – is more necessary today than ever.

The dismantling of the network is an important victory but also a reminder: the protection of cultural heritage requires constant vigilance and coordinated global efforts.

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