Polish police said on Tuesday they had dismantled a number of interlinked drug smuggling networks that operated across Europe, seizing narcotics worth 1 billion zlotys ($275 million).
The core of the criminal groups was Poles living in Spain, Poland's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBSP) said in a statement, with some members having links to Polish football hooliganism.
"During the investigation, 600 kilograms of marijuana, 180 kilograms of hashish, 40 kilograms of amphetamine sulfate, as well as seven firearms and several hundred rounds of ammunition were seized," the CBSP said.
The core group trafficked drugs to several parts of Europe, mainly the Republic of Ireland, Germany, Austria, and Scandinavia. The investigation was conducted together with law enforcement agencies from a number of European Union countries, the CBSP said.
Drug dealing in Poland
Over three years ago, gang leader Shalom-Lior "Shali" Azoulay was released on bail from prison in Poland after being detained for over a year. He was wanted in Poland on suspicion of drug dealing and was extradited there to face charges in May 2021.
Jerusalem Post Staff and Walla contributed to this report.