Swiss and International Authorities Target Smuggling Syndicate in Multi-State Raids

Swiss federal and cantonal authorities, in coordination with police forces across seven European countries, executed a major operation between Tuesday and Wednesday against a suspected transnational drug trafficking and money laundering ring. Officers searched a total of 84 locations in Switzerland and abroad, according to a joint statement released by the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (BA) and the Federal Office of Police (Fedpol).

During the measures conducted within Switzerland, law enforcement personnel temporarily detained 41 individuals. Authorities have requested pre-trial detention for five of the detained persons, while three additional suspects are currently held in extradition custody abroad. Investigators also confiscated more than 2.3 million Swiss francs in cash, cryptocurrency valued at 50,000 Swiss francs, and 15 weapons.

The international operation involved partner agencies from Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, the Czech Republic, Greece, and Poland, alongside the European law enforcement organizations Eurojust and Europol. Within Switzerland, police corps from twelve cantons participated in the raids, including Zurich, Bern, Lucerne, Zug, Thurgau, St. Gallen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Schaffhausen, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Basel-Stadt, and Basel-Landschaft.

The criminal network is suspected of smuggling multi-tonne quantities of cocaine from Latin America into Europe. According to the authorities, the contraband was hidden within legitimate freight inside shipping containers. Commercial trading companies specifically set up for this purpose in Switzerland and the Netherlands served as the designated recipient addresses for the illicit shipments. As part of the ongoing inquiry, law enforcement officers had previously intercepted a shipment containing over 750 kilograms of cocaine in Antwerp in August 2026.

Investigative work into the syndicate began in 2022, tracking illegal activities that date back to at least early 2019. The current criminal proceedings were formally initiated in 2023 by the BA in cooperation with the Thurgau cantonal police, supported by reports from the Money Laundering Reporting Office Switzerland regarding financial transactions across various corporate entities. The BA stated that further details concerning the suspects and specific raid locations could not be released due to the active nature of the proceedings, noting that the presumption of innocence applies to all individuals involved.

Written by Thomas Nussbaumer thomas.nussbaumer@alpineweekly.com