Europol Busts Major Drug Networks Using Encrypted Platform Tracking

Europol Uses Encrypted Platform Tracking to Dismantle Major Drug Smuggling Rings Across Europe

Operation Bulut Results in Nearly 300 Arrests, Targeting Criminal Networks in the EU and Turkey

A massive cross-border crackdown on organized crime has led to the arrest of nearly 300 individuals involved in international drug trafficking, as part of a coordinated sting operation known as Operation Bulut, Europol announced this week.

The operation, which concluded with arrests in the Netherlands and Germany, successfully dismantled four major criminal networks that were central to the flow of narcotics into the European Union and Turkey.

What distinguishes Operation Bulut from past efforts is its extensive use of digital tracking on encrypted communications platforms — particularly Sky ECC and ANOM, the latter of which was covertly operated by law enforcement agencies.

A New Era of Digital Intelligence in Criminal Investigations

In an exclusive interview with Euronews, Andy Kraag, Head of Europol’s European Serious and Organised Crime Centre, described the operation as a breakthrough in how modern crime-fighting strategies are evolving.

“This is a prime example of a data-driven network strategy,” said Kraag. “With these encrypted platforms, we collected large datasets, conducted analysis, and were able to precisely target the right individuals.”

Operation Bulut capitalized on years of stored and decrypted messages — in some cases, communications from as far back as four years ago — that were used to build actionable cases and collect solid evidence.

“Even though the messages were old, they became the goldmine of intelligence,” Kraag added. “We often refer to them as the gift that keeps on giving.”

Law Enforcement’s Secret Weapon: ANOM and Sky ECC

The encrypted platform ANOM, operated by Australian authorities and international law enforcement, was pivotal in uncovering the inner workings of the drug trafficking networks. Criminals, unaware of the platform’s origins, used it to openly discuss illegal activities — effectively handing over evidence to investigators in real time.

While Sky ECC was originally created as a secure messaging app, it was later compromised by European police forces, further expanding the pool of intelligence.

“Through ANOM, law enforcement themselves introduced a platform, and the criminals chose to use it,” Kraag said.

The success of Operation Bulut demonstrates the increasing reliance on digital surveillance tools and data decryption in modern law enforcement operations — especially as organized crime groups move their communication networks further underground.

Cross-Border Collaboration and Intelligence Sharing

The operation spanned multiple jurisdictions, including Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and Turkey. Europol played a central coordinating role, acting as the “glue” to connect the dots between participating agencies.

A notable element of this operation was the enhanced intelligence sharing between countries, which has traditionally been a barrier in transnational investigations.

“The information sharing between European law enforcement agencies has improved significantly,” Kraag said. “France even authorized the sharing of classified intelligence with Turkey.”

This ability to overcome national silos and enable real-time cooperation is viewed as a turning point in the EU’s battle against organized crime.

Long-Term Impact on Crime Networks

Authorities believe the networks dismantled during Operation Bulut were deeply embedded in Europe’s drug supply chains, with operational links to South America and the Middle East. The takedown is expected to cause significant disruption to narcotics logistics and financing routes across the continent.

While the names of the organizations involved have not been disclosed, Europol confirmed that the criminal groups were involved in cocaine and synthetic drug trafficking, money laundering, and weapons smuggling.

The intelligence gathered during the operation continues to generate leads, feeding into ongoing investigations across multiple countries.

Europol's Expanding Digital Mandate

As criminal networks adapt to more secure, encrypted communication tools, Europol is expanding its mandate to integrate cybersecurity, digital forensics, and AI-enhanced intelligence processing into its core operations.

Operation Bulut is being hailed as a model for future transnational investigations, demonstrating how encrypted data, once deciphered, can serve as a powerful tool to penetrate even the most sophisticated criminal networks.

“This sends a strong message to organized crime groups,” Kraag concluded. “Even the most resilient networks can be dismantled when law enforcement works together.”

Stay with The Horizons Times for more updates on international crime enforcement, encrypted technologies, and the evolving battle against global drug trafficking.