An international law enforcement operation has successfully taken down the encrypted communication platform, Ghost, which was widely used by criminal organizations for large-scale drug trafficking and money laundering, Europol announced on Wednesday. The operation led to the arrest of 51 suspects from various countries, and officials expect additional arrests in the coming days.
The Ghost platform had become notorious among organized crime networks due to its advanced security features, which made it a preferred tool for illegal activities. Europol hailed the platform’s dismantling as a major victory in the global fight against organized crime. “This was truly a global game of cat and mouse, and today, the game is up,” said Jean-Philippe Lecouffe, Europol’s Deputy Executive Director.
The extensive operation also prevented multiple threats to life, dismantled a drug production lab in Australia, and resulted in the global seizure of weapons, drugs, and over €1 million in cash. Catherine De Bolle, Europol’s Executive Director, described Ghost as “a lifeline for serious organized crime,” and emphasized that the operation demonstrated that no criminal network is beyond the reach of international law enforcement.
Authorities from Australia, Canada, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United States collaborated in this operation, highlighting the global commitment to combat organized crime. As investigations continue, more illegal activities are expected to be disrupted in the coming weeks.