Legitimate logistics work used as cover for string of robbery attacks on drivers’ rest areas.
An organised criminal group involving 30 Romanian nationals has been apprehended following an operation conducted by law enforcement authorities in France, Germany and Romania, supported by Europol and Eurojust. The group is suspected of thefts targeting cargo transport rest areas along main road haulage routes between Romania, France and Germany. The group mainly targeted cargo shipments of alcohol and small electronics, stealing goods worth an estimated EUR 2.5 million.
The criminals were engaged in legitimate road haulage work, which they used as an alibi for regular trips through Europe. This helped the criminals avoid suspicion as they identified and attacked targets along road routes between Romania and Germany. The action took place under the umbrella of the EMPACT security mechanism/framework.
Results from 23 November
- 14 arrests (12 in Romania and 2 in Germany)
- 57 searches (46 in Romania, 11 in Germany)
- 11 European Arrest Warrants enforced by Romanian authorities (7 from France, 4 from Germany)
Using legitimate work as an alibi
The organised crime group operated using the cover of a legal business in cargo transport. Working as truck drivers, the suspects would meet at preselected rest areas on French and German motorways, where they would then plan and commit their crimes. They would approach cargo vehicles in the rest areas and cut open the tarpaulin covers of trailers, before then stealing the goods inside. The takings were the shared out amongst themselves, before being brought back to Romania via German logistical premises.
The criminal group took several precautions to evade law enforcement. As well as the use of legitimate logistics work as a cover, they regularly checked their vehicles for trackers and other means of criminal detection. In response, Europol and its partners deployed police assets across multiple jurisdictions. French drones and drone pilots were sent to assist with pinpointing the criminals, and police from Germany and France were stationed in Romania for the action days. Europol also deployed its agents to Romania. From its headquarters in The Hague, Europol provided further support as coordinator of the action days, and by providing data handling and intelligence analysis. Eurojust assisted the authorities with the setting up and funding of a joint investigation team (JIT) and enabled the cross-border judicial cooperation and coordination.
