THE EUROPEAN INVESTIGATOR TARGETING CRIMINALS ACROSS BORDERS

UK

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Proofreading: Jo Gidney, Europol

Cover photo: Spanish Police

Special thanks to investigators Hans-Peter Seewald, Bundespolizei, Innsbruck, Austria; Pasquale Sorgoná, , Pescara, Italy; and Bernie Gravett, Metropolitan Police Force, London, UK, for their contributions

More information on Europol is available at http://www.europol.europa.eu

THE EUROPEAN INVESTIGATOR ŀ TARGETING CRIMINALS ACROSS BORDERS

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CONTENTS

3 Introduction

5 Operational analysis

9 Mobile office — On-the-spot support

11 Forensic and technical support

17 The benefits of employing a Joint Investigation Team

21 Europol National Unit

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THE EUROPEAN INVESTIGATOR ŀ TARGETING CRIMINALS ACROSS BORDERS

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Have you ever had an investigation that came to a dead end? Perhaps there was a missing link? All your leads led nowhere? Have you had cases where your suspect was working with international criminals across the border?

Europol could have helped you in all of these cases. Europol supports investigators in the 27 EU countries to prevent and combat all forms of serious international crime and terrorism. Europol of¿ cers have no direct powers of arrest. Their task is to support law enforcement colleagues working across Europe by gathering, analysing and dissem- inating criminal intelligence and coordinating international police operations. Europol’s partners use this input to prevent, detect and investigate crimes, and to track down and prosecute the criminals.

Europol delivers a unique set of operational services for the European Union, acting as the:

ŀ support centre for law enforcement operations ŀ criminal information hub and ŀ centre for law enforcement expertise.

The European investigator provides a succinct overview of how EU law enforcement of- ¿ cers can bene¿ t from Europol’s operational support. Each chapter illustrates the different kind of assistance offered by Europol: 3

ŀ Operational analysis ŀ Mobile office — On-the-spot support ŀ Forensic and technical support ŀ The benefits of employing a Joint Investigation Team and ŀ Information on your Europol National Unit.

If you think your investigation could bene¿ t from Europol’s assistance, please contact your Europol National Unit. © Andrzej Mitura

THE EUROPEAN INVESTIGATOR ŀ TARGETING CRIMINALS ACROSS BORDERS

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From an Austrian investigator:

‘The ¿ rst report came into our unit at the Austrian ment data had been recorded in many cases, in Innsbruck late one November making it possible for us all to tap into this infor- evening. Ram-raiders had smashed open an elec- mation through Europol. trical retailer and got away with a large haul of electronic goods. Europol then hosted an operational meeting where the affected police authorities could dis- We soon started to see a pattern emerging, as cuss intelligence, tactics and future operations. four Austrian electronics stores from the same The Lithuanian authorities were obviously a key chain were systematically robbed in exactly the part of this international team of investigators same way. Modus operandi: The gang took a from six countries. stolen vehicle and drove it right through the front of the store, sometimes ¿ rst using a stone Intelligence revealed that this criminal group had cutter to destroy the protective concrete bol- organisers who were instructed by their Lithu- lards outside the shop. During the ram-raids, anian bosses as to which shops they should tar- up to ¿ ve people would rush into the store and, get and what they should steal. The organisers in under 90 seconds, they would bag loads of would then travel with their ‘soldiers’ to selected high-value electronics such as cameras, mo- countries and would visit the stores in advance bile phones, notebooks and MP3 players. All of to check the store layout and exact locations of this action was captured by the in-store CCTV the goods they wanted. They carried out the cameras. ram-raids in Austria, Belgium, France, Italy and Sweden — targeting the same two multinational 5 Based on evidence gathered, we soon realised chains of electronics shops. This gang had been that we were dealing with a Lithuanian organised responsible for at least 20 ram-raids throughout criminal group. This international link prompted Europe, clocking up damages alone estimated to us to get Europol involved. We got straight in be around EUR 1.5 million. touch with our Europol National Unit to start the process. We began the information exchange by The Lithuanian authorities gave the highest pri- providing any intelligence we already had on the ority to solving this case and, as a result, we gang which included data on their Lithuanian planned our day of action in Lithuania at a co- mobile phones being used in Austria. This data ordination meeting hosted by Eurojust. One April was fed into Europol’s information system and morning, 55 Lithuanian police of¿ cers, supported Europol’s analysis report came back, telling us by colleagues from Austria and Sweden, carried there were links to Belgium, France, Italy and out 16 house searches to catch the suspects and Sweden. The suspects had been police checked gather potential evidence. Two Europol of¿ cers on the road and at border crossings in several were on the spot to provide further support to countries — luckily, their ID and vehicle docu- the investigators.

Ram-raiders rob the shop and bag their loot in under 90 seconds. © Jean-François Guiot

THE EUROPEAN INVESTIGATOR ŀ TARGETING CRIMINALS ACROSS BORDERS

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ANALYTICAL SUPPORT

100 criminal analysts, who are among high-priority serious crime areas im- the best trained in the world and use pacting the European Union. state-of-the-art tools to uncover the activities of some of the most dan- Analytical support can be provided gerous organised crime and terrorist remotely from Europol premises, or networks operating in Europe. The de- in the ¿ eld. AWFs offer a variety of 6 livery of this work takes place within operational and strategic products the framework of an analysis work which are shared among participants. ¿ le (AWF). The AWF is an instrument Within an AWF, a speci¿ c target group unique to Europol, in which analysts or Joint Investigation Team can be set work together with organised crime up to meet the needs of a group of Analysis is at the core of Europol’s and terrorism specialists to gather Member States and to tackle a com- activities. It employs more than criminal intelligence. AWFs cover all mon criminal phenomenon.

OPERATIONAL CENTRE 24/7

The main aim is to support law en- forcement agencies in their ongoing international investigations and to be the single point of contact for receiv- ing operational requests and informa- tion. This enables Europol analysts to run an overall search of all the Europol data systems, to search for any missing links in ongoing investi- gations. Europol’s operational coordin- © Rein Partel ation and support centre operates on a 24/7 basis. Europol supports more Europol provides a rapid and À exible centre is a central point where criminal than 12 000 serious crime and terror- response to ongoing international in- information from multiple sources and ism cases per year, with this number vestigations. The Europol operational multiple countries is cross-checked. increasing every year.

THE EUROPEAN INVESTIGATOR ŀ TARGETING CRIMINALS ACROSS BORDERS

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Europol liaison of¿ cers, analysts and related information between Member experts use secure and innovative States, Europol and third parties with communication means in their work. which Europol has cooperation agree- SIENA is the new generation tool that ments. SIENA operates in a way that meets the 21st century communica- complies with all the legal require- tion needs of EU law enforcement. ments of data protection and con¿ den- It is used to manage the exchange tiality. It ensures the secure exchange © Shutterstock of operational and strategic crime- of sensitive information.

Member State liaison bureau

SIENA

Member State (Another competent Third parties Member State authority) Europol National Unit

Europol ensures a safe exchange of crime-related information via SIENA.

7 EUROPOL INFORMATION SYSTEM

The Europol information system allows tigations and facilitates the sharing of the storing, searching, visualising and sensitive information in a secure and linking of information related to trans- reliable way. The information system national crimes. It allows law enforce- is available in all of¿ cial EU languages. ment agencies across Europe to co- Future versions of the system will pro- operate on international investigations. vide functionalities to match biometric The system automatically detects any data such as DNA pro¿ les, ¿ ngerprints possible hits between different inves- and photographs.

EUROPOL LIAISON OFFICERS

of¿ cers are seconded to Europol by all analytical projects, facilitating the EU and non-EU law enforcement au- exchange of strategic and operational thorities. They guarantee fast and information. They participate in op- effective cooperation based on per- erational meetings and coordinate sonal contact and mutual trust. The controlled deliveries and cross-bor- network of Europol liaison of¿ cers is der surveillance in a 24/7 call sys- © Shutterstock © Dreamstime a unique platform to group of¿ cers tem. They have also an advisory role from over 30 countries together in a and liaise with their national experts Some 130 liaison of¿ cers are based at secure operational environment. The to support the establishment of Joint Europol headquarters. These liaison liaison of¿ cers actively participate in Investigation Teams.

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© Shutterstock

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Reports come in of four jewellery shop robberies and Austria. A joint police operation is set up and in Paris. Another one has been broken into on carried out in Estonia. Boulevard Barceló in Brussels. And six jewellery shops have been robbed in a similar way in Austria During the operation, all the suspects are arrested (Vienna and Salzburg), by suspects from Estonia. and searches are carried out at their residences. Many mobile phones, SIM cards, notes and other records are seized. Europol analyses this data to identify further international links. Physical evi- dence linking the suspects to the robberies is found.

Europol receives data — which have been analysed throughout the operation — from the countries in- volved. Several reports are issued to the Member States concerned. On the day of action, arrests and house searches are supported by a Europol team: specialists and analysts are present at the coordination centre set up in Tallinn and an on-the- spot mobile of¿ ce is used to support the operation.

This particular operation has led to the identi¿ - cation and arrest of eight suspected members 9 of Estonian-based gangs in Belgium, France and A typical jewellery shop targeted by the criminal gang. Austria.

To aid national investigators, Europol organises a Europol supports more than 12 000 cases per preparatory meeting which is attended by inves- year. Many of them involve the Europol mobile tigators from Belgium, Germany, Estonia, France of¿ ce and on-the-spot Europol of¿ cers.

MOBILE OFFICE

The mobile of¿ ce, staffed by Europol experts and ana- office is deployed; the immediate result is invaluable lysts, can provide support for a wide range of activities when it comes to fast-moving investigations; such as ongoing investigations, major sports events, ŀ the possibility to deliver on-the-spot analytical prod- key international conferences and other occasions ucts such as reports, charts and other data; where a mobilisation of police cooperation is needed to ŀ the possibility to deploy more mobile offices for the provide security. The following services are provided: same operation in the case of simultaneous arrests in different locations; ŀ real-time, secure access to the different Europol ŀ a satellite connection that increases the flexibility computerised analysis systems; data on people and of the system. phone numbers can be checked while the mobile

OPERATION MONET V

Under the remit of Operation Monet V, live analytical which targeted cash couriers within high-risk destina- support was provided via the mobile of¿ ce to Span- tion environments. As a result of the operation, the

Shutterstock ish law enforcement authorities in Gran Canaria. One Guardia Civil seized EUR 402 090, 1.2 kg of cocaine

© Europol analyst was present throughout the operation, and other illicit products.

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From an Italian investigator:

‘It is five o’clock in the morning and my taxi is tions. Of course there are also the soldiers — waiting outside. At this time of the day it is still those in charge of collecting the credit cards. All dark, even though it is only the end of July. The air have monthly ‘targets’. Investigations lead to the in The Hague is crisp and carries the salty scent of ¿ rst identi¿ cations and the ¿ rst arrests. When the sea. In a few minutes, I will arrive at Europol we hear someone is arriving at an airport, we headquarters, as a national expert appointed by the identify them. If we hear they are recovering Italian National Police to coordinate an international skimming devices, we arrest them. Each time operation, code-named Creieur. we operate using a different ¿ eld of¿ cer to reduce the suspicion of a planned attack.

We work to piece together the route to identify- ing the leaders. Investigations gather pace: in a period of around two years, some 600 000 phone calls have been examined from 450 phones and a clear picture of the Romanian criminal organi- sation created. It is a successful gang, which is stealing millions of euros every year.

We deliver our ¿ nal report to the Italian Judicial Authority: there are 36 people to arrest in ¿ ve 11 countries, and we do it discretely so as not to Let me turn back the clock to explain how I hap- compromise the rest of the operation. The gang pen to be at Europol this morning. The Italian is all over Europe. European arrest warrants are city of Pescara is suffering greatly from credit prepared but many cannot be delivered. The card skimming fraud. Evidence suggests the cul- prosecutor is determined and makes the most prits are a Romanian criminal group. of his experience — he contacts Investigations are authorised by the Europol and Eurojust. local prosecutor, and the police are able to use the usual methods — We meet, introduce ourselves and wiretaps, surveillance, translating speak about what we want to do, and shadowing. This is a busy group what we need and which countries of criminals and all efforts are made are involved. We share evidence to ensure that they are unaware and fix the next meeting. Now they are being tapped. The police other police of¿ cers are participat- team is experienced, talented and ing and judicial authorities from motivated. the countries involved are present. We ¿ nalise operational details and It appears the criminals are well or- decide on the date of action. ganised. They collect data and pass it back to Romania, where the fake So, that’s how I came to be in credit cards are created and then The Hague. Next, an operational sent back to the teams on the ground, across centre is established at Europol headquarters. the continent. The whole EU is under attack. It is Wiretaps tell us that the criminals suspect some- a very sophisticated operation. Leading operators thing, so the prosecutor prepares for arrests. in Romania manage the stolen data; technicians I enter the operational centre and see a team of create the skimming devices and recover the Europol experts prepared and ready for action. data from them; and logistics specialists provide A Europol mobile of¿ ce is ready. I am at the heart

© Alexandra Wegner accommodation for operators on the ground, as of policing at Europol and connected to police well as transport to and from airports and sta- teams spread across the continent.

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The day of action starts at 6 a.m. and arrests Europol didn’t interfere. It said: “The investiga- take place all over Europe. The news starts to tion is yours, not ours.” It gave us valuable help, trickle in from Italy, the Netherlands and Ro- competent resources and a positive attitude. We 12 mania. Cooperation is excellent and phones are realised that, without assistance from our part- ringing. We manage to track down some crimi- ners across Europe, it would have been impossible nals who had disappeared. People who should to achieve such a spectacular result. There is one have been in Ireland are no longer there but more positive outcome — all Creieur operational they could be in Belgium. In minutes, we are data will be pooled in a dedicated Europol analysis in contact with a Belgian liaison of¿ cer. He tells work ¿ le (AWF), where it will be available to assist us that three people are being held and two are all other ongoing and future investigations. on the wanted list — success! More are arrested over the next two days. Eventually, two thirds of Looking back, it was exciting to experience the wanted criminals are apprehended. This is such a well-coordinated law enforcement international teamwork at its best — we would operation, especially for me, visiting this cold never have had this success without Europol and city on the North Sea coast from my sunny Eurojust. Italian town.’

THE EUROPEAN INVESTIGATOR ŀ TARGETING CRIMINALS ACROSS BORDERS

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Europol provides forensic and technical support in the following areas:

ŀ payment card fraud ŀ euro counterfeiting and the production of counterfeit goods ŀ cybercrime ŀ dismantling of illicit drug production, storage and dump sites.

13

Europol supports an investigation of the largest illicit drug laboratory ever found in the Netherlands.

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The European Union is a significant photographic and technical information region for the illicit production of on synthetic drug production, storage synthetic drugs, particularly amphet- and dump sites. This enables the iden- amine and ecstasy. Each year around ti¿ cation of matches between seized 60 to 90 large-scale production sites equipment, materials and chemicals. are identi¿ ed, seized and dismantled. In addition, the Europol Synthetic Drug Storage sites for potentially dangerous System (ESDS) includes informa- precursor chemicals used in the drug tion on modi operandi and signi¿ cant manufacturing process are often dis- seiz ures. This enables the identi¿ cation 14 covered during investigations in Mem- of matches between seizures and helps ber States. Europol experts help to dis- to pro¿ le and target criminal groups. mantle illicit production sites securely and collect evidence. They also carry The Europol Speci¿ c Means of Conceal- out technical investigations on custom- ment (ESMC) contains information on made and industrial equipment seized the concealment methods used to in production and storage units. transport cocaine.

The Europol Illicit Laboratory Compari- son System (EILCS) comprises detailed

Sample of photographic data stored in the Europol ESDS/ESMC: concealment of cocaine using animals.

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Europol has been designated the European Union’s central of¿ ce for combating euro counterfeiting. This legal status quali- ¿ es it to act as a worldwide contact point for combating counterfeiting of the currency.

Acting in this capacity, Europol provides, among other things, forensic support to determine the origin of materials and devices used for the manufacturing of counterfeits. Additionally, Europol provides technical support and training on tactical and technical issues to protect the euro from counterfeiting.

TERRORIST FINANCING TRACKING PROGRAMME — A NEW COUNTERTERRORISM SERVICE 15 On 1 August 2010, an agreement en- ment, and the USA cannot receive any ¿ nancial specialists and analysts, who tered into force between the United data unless and until this is veri¿ ed. will actively engage with US authorities States and the European Union on the to provide a comprehensive, robust re- processing and transfer of financial The agreement enables Europol to re- sponse which will focus the combined messaging data from the EU to the ceive intelligence leads from the US energies of the EU and US authorities USA to support the US Terrorist Fi- analysis programme and also allows in combating the ¿ nancing of terror- nancing Tracking Programme (TFTP). Europol to generate European analyt- ism. Counterterrorist investigators in Europol has been entrusted with the ical requests to the US TFTP. the EU Member States can access this new responsibility of verifying US re- signi¿ cant US programme, for example quests for data transfers. It reviews In order to accommodate the agree- to check the ¿ nancial activities of ter- such requests, ensuring that they are ment, Europol has created a dedicated rorist suspects, through the dedicated compliant with the terms of this agree- unit of experienced counterterrorism unit at Europol.

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The bene¿ ts of a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) can pertise, which extended to language, intelligence, be realised by all law enforcement agencies, from the local knowledge, information and national contacts smallest to even the largest and most cosmopolitan back in Bucharest, made the whole operation run of law enforcement organisations. One of the part- much more smoothly. ners in Operation Golf — London’s Metropolitan Police Service — is very experienced in international inves- There is no doubt that the ¿ nancial support offered by tigations. The largest police force in the UK, with a the European Commission helped to sustain the com- huge international reputation, it regularly investigates mitment to this operation. This ¿ nancial support was crimes and offences on the international stage, mak- used to fund operational meetings in England, Romania ing full use of its own and its partners’ resources. But and Spain, and at Europol and Eurojust in The Hague. even the Metropolitan Police found that the JIT they Such meetings allowed investigators to sit down along- signed with the Romanian authori- side judicial authorities, Europol and ties, to deal with a speci¿ c human other partners, to plan and coordi- traf¿ cking crime issue on the streets nate the operation as it developed. of the capital, brought great bene¿ ts to their investigation. The support that Europol gave to the analytical work done on Opera- The JIT provided for the second- tion Golf and operationally through ment of two Romanian police of¿ - the liaison bureaux, allied to the cers to London. This proved invalu- judicial support afforded by Euro- able in enhancing the Metropolitan just, ensured that the full range of 17 Police’s understanding of the cultural, legal and oper- tools available at EU level was utilised. This is even ational challenges they faced working hand-in-hand more relevant given that Operation Golf, with all with a foreign administration. The ability to initiate its success, is not an investigation led by a national enquiries knowing that they could, and would, be or specialist unit but was initiated by a city centre pursued within Romania on their behalf without the division, to deal with a problem which was having necessity of formal letters of request was a great a major local impact but was clearly organised at administrative relief. The availability of in-house ex- an international level.

© Fotolia

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Operation Golf: A Romanian village where criminals source children for traf¿ cking.

Operation Golf is a Metropolitan Po- lice Service criminal investigation into Romanian-organised Roma crime net- works and targets one of the largest human traf¿ cking rings in Europe. The 18 gangs speci¿ cally exploit children who are forced to routinely beg and steal across the UK and the rest of Europe. This operation is in partnership with the Crown Prosecution Service, the Ro- manian National Police, the UK Human Traf¿ cking Centre, Europol and Euro- just. The partnership is a formal Joint In contrast, the villa of one investigations. The ability to deploy Investigation Team (JIT) under EU law of the criminal traf¿ ckers. Romanian of¿ cers alongside my own and was the ¿ rst such JIT addressing during searches and arrests proved in- this type of crime in Europe. successful in receiving funding support valuable. They have conducted criminal from the European Commission, largely interviews with my investigators, and in Operation Golf achieved the ¿ rst con- due to the unique work being carried addition they are able to easily recog- viction in the UK for both the traf¿ ck- out by the Joint Investigation Team. nise false documents and gather intel- ing of a child for criminal exploitation ligence that a UK police of¿ cer would and ‘internal’ traf¿ cking within the UK. Superintendent Bernie Gravett, the se- have missed. The formation of a JIT is Four members of the organised crime nior investigating of¿ cer at the Metro- recommended for any country that in- network were sentenced to a total of 24 politan Police, says: ‘The JIT legislation tends to mount a proactive operation to years in prison. Operation Golf has been has so many bene¿ ts for international bring offenders to justice.’

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© Shutterstock

Operation Golf identi¿ ed 181 traf¿ cked children. 19

OPERATION GOLF — STATISTICAL OVERVIEW

181 — Number of traf¿ cked children identi¿ ed by Operation Golf

GBP 20 000 — Average ‘price’ for a traf¿ cked child in the UK

EUR 160 000 — Estimated annual illicit income for organised crime from a single traf¿ cked child

GBP 4 000 000 — Value of the bene¿ t fraud identi¿ ed and stopped as a result of Operation Golf

ANNUAL STATISTICS ON TRAFFICKED CHILDREN

1.2 million — Number of traf¿ cked children worldwide (source: Unicef)

USD 12 billion — Global value of human traf¿ cking (source: Unicef)

200 000 — Number of traf¿ cked individuals from eastern Europe (source: OSCE)

USD 2 500–10 000 — Price range of a child traf¿ cked to Italy

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THE EUROPEAN INVESTIGATOR ŀ TARGETING CRIMINALS ACROSS BORDERS

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Within the UK the competent national authority for Europol matters is the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA). Due to its nature and legislative set- up, SOCA is in a unique position to combat organ- ised crime internationally. It acts as the UK’s national central bureau for important international crime- ¿ ghting networks, including Interpol, Europol and Schengen. It is one of the two UK Central Autho- rities for the European Arrest Warrant (the second being the Scottish Crown Of¿ ce) — a fast-track arrest and extradition scheme operating between EU Mem- 21 ber States; and has an extensive network of liaison of¿ cers and UK support teams that work closely with partners around the world. In addition, SOCA pro- vides the gateway to a wide range of international services, responding to requests from UK and over- seas partners.

SOCA currently has around 140 SOCA liaison of¿ cers (SLOs) based in key locations across the globe. Their main role is to lead and support SOCA projects and operations overseas. This support includes intelligence, research and development and brokering relationships

THE EUROPEAN INVESTIGATOR ŀ TARGETING CRIMINALS ACROSS BORDERS

kg105222_EN_UK_BAT.inddkg105222QQL3009278EN_UKC_001.pdfL3009278E ENN_U UKKC_0 BAT01.pd inddf 232 3 21 222/08/112/083/08/11/11 114:44:124 : 4 4 09:12:12 with key partners. The SLO network is supported by vides a national gateway for all UK and foreign law large teams of personnel in the UK, who coordinate enforcement agencies to obtain international law activity of SOCA operations and the Europol National enforcement cooperation. It is worth noting that the Unit (UK). ENU provides the gateway into Europol for 52 police forces, , the UK Border Agency, the Scottish 22 The Europol National Unit (ENU) is based in London, Crime & Drug Enforcement Agency and a number of as part of SOCA’s structure for dealing with interna- other UK law enforcement agencies. The ENU comes tional crime matters. This structure allows for an inte- under the overall control of the Deputy Director, grated approach to the Interpol, Schengen and man- International Department and directly under the agement/support structures for SOCA’s bilateral management of the Head of Operations, Europe and liaison of¿ cer network. By this approach, SOCA pro- the Europol National Unit, the HENU. Falling under the command of the HENU is the ENU Desk itself which has a growing number of staff who are trained to deal with all Europol matters, from cross-border surveillance and intelligence exchange to controlled deliveries.

It is the task of the ENU UK to:

ŀ supply Europol with up-to-date information and intelligence as required, in compliance with national law; ŀ respond to requests from Europol and EU Mem- ber States about information, intelligence, advice and joint operational activities; ŀ issue requests for advice, information, intelli- gence and analysis to Europol; ŀ evaluate information and intelligence in accord- ance with national law and transmit this mater- ial to Europol, for storage on its computerised information systems; ŀ oversee operational activity involving law enforcement agencies in the and other EU Member States, involving Europol and the UK Liaison Bureau based at Europol.

THE EUROPEAN INVESTIGATOR ŀ TARGETING CRIMINALS ACROSS BORDERS

kg105222_EN_UK_BAT.inddkg105222QQL3009278EN_UKC_001.pdfL3009278E ENN_U UKKC_0 BAT01.pd inddf 242 4 22 222/08/112/083/08/11/11 114:44:124 : 4 4 09:12:12 Contact details: complement of 11 staff. The staff within the UKLB Of¿ ce hours: Monday to Friday, are taken from SOCA, from the Serious Crime and 09.00–17.00 GMT Counter Terrorism Branches of the Metropolitan Tel. +44 2072383657 Police Service (MPS), the Scottish Crime & Drug E-mail: [email protected] Enforcement Agency (SCDEA), Her Majesty’s Rev- enue & Customs (HMRC) and the ACPO Criminal Out-of-of¿ ce hours Records Of¿ ce (ACRO). In addition, the UKLB has (post-17.00 GMT and weekends) two locally recruited administration staff. The pur- Tel. +44 2072388115 pose of the UKLB is, working with the Europol E-mail: [email protected] National Unit, to facilitate the timely exchange of intelligence and to coordinate operational activity United Kingdom Liaison Bureau with Europol, Eurojust and EU law enforcement The United Kingdom Liaison Bureau at Europol agencies. The UKLB can be contacted in the ¿ rst (UKLB) is managed by SOCA and currently has a instance via the UK ENU.

Operation Pantin

On 18 January 2011, a father and son were convicted of running a ‘family business’ traf¿ cking foreign women into the UK before they were raped and suffered ‘extreme sexual violence and humiliation’ while being forced to work as pros- titutes. Romanian nationals, Bogdan N. and his son Marius tar- geted Romanian women, aged 23 between 19 and 27, who were young and vulnerable. The women were raped, beaten and threatened with injury if they refused to coop- erate. The victims were forced to work six or seven days a week, and police forces, Marius N. was jailed for six years for seven sometimes having sex with as jailed for 21 years after being con- charges including sex traf¿ cking many as eight or 10 men a night. victed of 27 counts, including four and controlling prostitution Due to work carried out by Europol, rapes, assault, traf¿ cking and con- between November 2007 and Octo- the various liaison bureaux, ENUs trolling prostitution. His father was ber 2008.

THE EUROPEAN INVESTIGATOR ŀ TARGETING CRIMINALS ACROSS BORDERS

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THE EUROPEAN INVESTIGATOR ŀ TARGETING CRIMINALS ACROSS BORDERS

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European Police Of¿ ce The European Investigator ȸ Targeting criminals across borders 2011 — 21 pp. — 21 ¯ 29.7 cm

THE EUROPEAN INVESTIGATOR ŀ TARGETING CRIMINALS ACROSS BORDERS

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