Members of Italian drug gang arrested across Europe -Europol

Fourteen members of an Italian criminal network involved in drugs trafficking have been arrested in Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain, European police body Europol said on Wednesday.

Europol added that, as part of the operation, authorities had dismantled a laboratory in Belgium where members of the gang had produced and stored synthetic drugs.

Firearms, cash, luxury watches and cars used by drug “mules” – people used to smuggle drugs – were also seized, said Europol.

A United Nations report in June had stated that cocaine demand and supply were booming worldwide, while methamphetamine trafficking was also expanding beyond established markets.

(Reuters)