A
large-scale international operation targeting cross-border crime networks led
to the seizure of hundreds of firearms and significant quantities of drugs
during coordinated action days carried out from 23 to 27 March 2026 across
South-East Europe.
The
operation, led by Spain, brought together law enforcement authorities from EU
Member States, partner countries, and international organisations. The
coordinated effort focused on combating illicit firearms trafficking and other
forms of serious and organised cross-border crime, including drug trafficking
and the use of increasingly sophisticated concealment methods.
Frontex,
the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, supported the operation by
deploying officers from its Standing Corps, contributing to coordination
efforts and providing operational and technical expertise across multiple
locations. The Agency also facilitated information exchange and supported the
detection of cross-border criminal activities through its operational presence
on the ground.
During
the operation, Frontex deployed Standing Corps officers across all operational
contingents. They supported coordination activities carried out by local law
enforcement authorities in Tirana (Albania), as well as in Bulgaria, Slovakia,
and Greece, including at the port of Patras.
Frontex
officers contributed to border checks, surveillance activities, and targeted
controls, supporting national authorities in identifying high-risk movements
and detecting illicit goods transported across borders.
As
part of the Joint Action Days, Frontex also coordinated a specialised
operational workshop in Bulgaria, in close cooperation with national and
international partners, including the Bulgarian authorities, the Belgian
Federal Police, OSCE, INTERPOL, Luxembourg Customs, and the UK National Crime
Agency. The activity focused on detecting increasingly sophisticated
concealment methods in vehicles used for trafficking illicit goods and was
complemented by targeted action days at border crossing points with Serbia and
North Macedonia.
The joint
efforts led to substantial results across the region:
• 460 firearms
seized
• 19,214 rounds of ammunition confiscated
• Over 21 kg of explosives detected
• Large quantities of drugs intercepted, including:
o over 1 tonne of cocaine
o more than 430 kg of heroin
o significant amounts of cannabis, amphetamine and synthetic drugs
• 904 people arrested
• 540 refusals of entry issued
The
operation brought together a wide range of partners.
Participating
EU Member States included Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia,
Italy, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia,
Slovakia, and Sweden.
Partner
countries included Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, the Republic of
Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Ukraine.
The
operation was supported by several international partners, including Europol
and INTERPOL, ensuring a coordinated approach to tackling cross-border criminal
networks.
Joint
operational activities such as these contribute to strengthening security at
the EU’s external borders by disrupting criminal networks, improving
situational awareness, and enhancing cooperation between authorities across
Europe and beyond.
They
also highlight the added value of coordinated European action in addressing
complex security threats that go beyond national borders.
