How an informant and a messaging app led to huge global crime sting
The Hindu
Investigation involved 9,000 law enforcement officers from 17 countries saw authorities monitor 27 million messages from 12,000 devices in 100 countries
It took $100,000 plus expenses, and the opportunity for a reduced prison sentence, for the smartphone developer to collaborate with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) in 2018 and kick-start Operation Trojan Horse, according to a court document. Three years later, the investigation involving 9,000 law enforcement officers from 17 countries saw authorities monitor 27 million messages from 12,000 devices in 100 countries and track the activities of more than 300 organised crime groups,the European Union’s law enforcement agency, Europol, said in a statement. To date, there have been more than 800 arrests and the seizure of more than eight tons of cocaine, 22 tons of cannabis, two tons of synthetic drugs, 250 guns, 55 luxury vehicles and over $48 million in cash and crypto currencies, Europol said.More Related News