THE HAGUE. Europol announced on Wednesday, September 18, that an international law enforcement effort has successfully dismantled the notorious encrypted communication platform known as Ghost, which was widely used by criminal organizations for drug trafficking and money laundering. The operation hailed as a significant strike against organized crime, resulted in the arrest of 51 individuals from several countries, with further arrests expected as investigations continue.
“This was truly a global game of cat and mouse, and today, the game is up,” stated Europol’s Deputy Executive Director, Jean-Philippe Lecouffe, emphasizing the scale of the operation and its impact on criminal networks.
Ghost, popular among organized crime syndicates due to its robust security features, had become a crucial tool for illicit activities. The dismantling of the platform marks a major victory for global law enforcement agencies working to combat transnational crime.
In addition to dismantling the platform, the operation led to the prevention of several life-threatening situations, the seizure of over €1 million ($1.11 million) in cash, and the discovery of a drug laboratory in Australia. Weapons and drugs were also confiscated during the raids.
“Today we have made it clear that no matter how hidden criminal networks think they are, they can’t evade our collective effort,” said Europol’s Executive Director, Catherine De Bolle. She described the Ghost platform as “a lifeline for serious organized crime,” underscoring the importance of this victory in the ongoing battle against global criminal operations.
The operation was carried out with the collaboration of authorities from Australia, Canada, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United States, reflecting a strong international commitment to combating organized crime. More disruptions to illegal activities are anticipated as the investigation deepens.
This high-profile takedown is another example of the growing cooperation between law enforcement agencies worldwide in targeting cybercrime platforms that fuel criminal enterprises.
Carlo Juancho FuntanillaFrontend Developer, WordPress, Shopify
Contributing Editor
AMA ACLC San Pablo
