Georgian mafia ring broken up
Police have arrested 69 people across Europe including 11 in Switzerland in raids targeting suspected members of the Georgian mafia.
The ring is suspected of crimes including money-laundering, drug trafficking and weapons possession.
The Swiss Federal Prosecutor’s office said those arrested in Switzerland were mainly Georgian and Russian nationals.
They specialised in theft, burglary and handling stolen goods, and were “highly structured”, said the office.
The Swiss operation was divided into four regional sections, with the boss of each region answering to the person in charge of Switzerland.
This individual delivered the Swiss take to ring leaders based in Spain. At least one of these kingpins was arrested by Spanish police in Barcelona.
Suspects were also arrested in Germany, Austria, France and Italy.
“The arrest of leading members of the Georgian mafia is a harsh blow for Georgian organised crime in Europe,” the office said.
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