In a significant breakthrough against organized crime, Italian, German, and Swiss law enforcement agencies collaborated in an operation that resulted in the arrest of 10 individuals linked to a criminal network engaged in gold smuggling and money laundering.
The operation, which unfolded on 15 June 2023, targeted an intricate scheme spanning multiple countries. With over 150 police officers involved, the operation aimed to dismantle the network responsible for laundering more than EUR 15 million through complex channels across Europe. One notable discovery was the unearthing of an illegal gold foundry in Zurich.
The investigation was initiated by the ROS Carabinieri in Florence back in 2019, in partnership with Swiss and German law enforcement agencies. The focus initially centered on a Greek citizen who had connections with an Iranian entrepreneur involved in international gold smuggling and money laundering activities across Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and Turkey. As the investigation progressed, it became clear that the criminal network comprised 10 individuals from Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Iran, all operating within the gold industry.
