EU nabs US$300 million illegal trafficking in Spain
{{date|March 31, 2005}}

Officials arrested 41 people from five countries Sunday in connection with a trans-[[Europe]]an {{w|money laundering}} operation. The individuals are suspected in laundering US$300 million in gang-related activities such as prostitution, murder, and arms and drug trafficking, according to police with [[Interpol]] and {{w|Europol}}.

The BBC reported citizens of {{w|Spain}}, {{w|France}}, {{w|Finland}}, {{w|Russia}}, and {{w|Ukraine}} were among those arrested and charged with illegally siphoning money from {{w|Yukos}}, a large Russian oil company. Yukos maintains it was unaware of such activities.

The crackdown went by code name {{w|Operation White Whale}} and was a joint effort between Spain and Russia, officials said. The arrests were centered in the {{w|Costa del Sol}} area of Spain's southern Mediterranean coast.

==Sources==
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4344447.stm  Spain 'cracks $300m money racket'] by BBC
* {{source|title=Spanish police smash €250m dirty money ring
|url=http://www.examiner.ie/pport/web/world/Full_Story/did-sgq9Z1QddvppIsg0aewFBADppk.asp
|author=Mar Roamn
|pub=Irish Examiner
|date=14/03/05}}
* {{source|title=Spain Uncovers EU250 Mln Laundering Ring; Yukos Money Suspected
|url=http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000085&sid=aq5jvxTHdqi8&refer=europe
|author=
|pub=Bloomberg
|date=March 13}}
== External links ==
{{wikipediapar|Operation White Whale}}

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[[Category:Europe]]
[[Category:Crime and law]]
[[Category:European Union]]
[[Category:Interpol]]
[[Category:Drugs]]
[[Category:Prostitution]]
Officials arrested 41 people from five countries Sunday in connection with a trans-European Europol.

The BBC reported citizens of France, Russia, and Yukos, a large Russian oil company. Yukos maintains it was unaware of such activities.

The crackdown went by code name Costa del Sol area of Spain's southern Mediterranean coast.
Europe Crime and law European Union Interpol Drugs Prostitution