Twelve suspected members of what has been described as an Irish "high-risk criminal network" have been arrested in Ireland and Spain.
Europol said that in a coordinated series of raids in both countries, authorities arrested six people in Ireland and six in Spain.
They are suspected of involvement in large-scale drug trafficking, mainly by transporting drugs hidden in vehicles from Spain to Ireland.
On Monday, five men were arrested as part of this investigation and are still being held at garda stations in Dublin.
A sixth man was subsequently arrested and remains in custody.
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The six men are being questioned in connection with the activities of the drug trafficking gang known as 'The Family', which gardaí say is one of the main suppliers of heroin and cocaine.
The individuals are aged in their 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s.
⚠️ 12 members of an Irish high-risk criminal network arrested in Ireland and Spain following the takedown of the Ghost communication platform.
— Europol (@Europol) March 26, 2025
More details in our press release⤵️https://t.co/Is3RqbGeaA pic.twitter.com/YDoIX4FC3f
They have been arrested on suspicion of facilitating, assisting or conspiring with an organised crime group.
They are being detained under anti-gang legislation and can be questioned for up to a week.
Officers from Europol, the Guardia Civil (Spain) and the @ON Network were present during the arrests. The @ON Network is funded by the European Commission and led by the Italian Antifmafia Investigation Directorate (DIA).
Meanwhile, garda officers were deployed to Spain to support the Guardia Civil in the investigation.
Another Irish man was arrested in Spain this week, along with five others.
Last September, gardaí and Spanish police dismantled a Ghost encrypted communication platform, used by the gang to try to evade detection.
