Swiss authorities hold 41 people in raids on a cocaine smuggling and money laundering network

Raids across Switzerland and abroad

Investigators searched 84 premises on Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 and 11 November 2026, in twelve Swiss cantons and seven other countries. The Federal Prosecutor's Office and the Federal Office of Police (fedpol) announced the operation jointly on Thursday, 12 November. Of the 84 searches, 55 took place in Switzerland and 29 abroad, according to the authorities. Police corps from Thurgau, Zürich, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, St. Gallen, Schwyz, Bern, Lucerne, Zug, Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft, Solothurn and Schaffhausen took part alongside fedpol. Partner authorities in Germany, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Greece and Poland coordinated their raids with Eurojust and Europol.

Suspects held and assets seized

In Switzerland, police provisionally detained 41 people. Prosecutors requested pretrial detention for five of them. Three further suspects are held abroad in extradition custody, pending transfer to Switzerland. Investigators seized more than 2.3 million Swiss francs in cash, cryptocurrency worth 50,000 francs and 15 weapons. The authorities said these seizures covered the participating countries so far, so the totals may still change. All accused persons are presumed innocent. The Federal Prosecutor's Office declined to give further details on the raids or the suspects while the proceedings are ongoing.

Provisionally detained in Switzerland41

Pretrial detention requested5

In extradition custody abroad3

Provisionally detained in Switzerland

41 people

Pretrial detention requested

5 people

In extradition custody abroad

3 people

Data from the article text

How the network allegedly operated

Authorities suspect criminal groups shipped large quantities of cocaine from Latin America to Europe in shipping containers, concealed in legitimate cargo. Trading companies set up for the purpose, registered in Switzerland and the Netherlands, served as recipient addresses. According to the authorities, the amount involved is several tonnes of cocaine. Several seizures totalling several tonnes since 2019, mainly in European ports, could be linked to the network, investigators believe. In August 2026, more than 750 kilograms of cocaine were taken from a freight shipment in Antwerp in cooperation with international authorities. The network is also suspected of money laundering through several companies, supported by reports filed with the money laundering reporting office (MROS). The accused face allegations of membership in a criminal organisation, breaches of the narcotics law and qualified money laundering.

Investigation timeline

The Federal Prosecutor's Office opened criminal proceedings in 2023, starting from a case run together with the Thurgau cantonal police. Fedpol continues to investigate in close cooperation with that cantonal police force. One report dates the investigation itself to 2022, while the suspected activity reaches back at least to early 2019. The authorities say the investigation is continuing, and the sequence of key dates is set out below.