Brussels, Oct. 19 – The European Police Office announced Wednesday the results of an international operation that hit hard against organized crime in the European Union.

In a report released on its website, Europol said agents participating in operation Ciconia Alba seized 2.62 tons of cocaine, identified 529 victims of human trafficking, and arrested 314 people.

It also stated that 745 irregular immigrants were intercepted, $199,000 were seized, and more than 500,000 people and vehicles were searched.

“Fifty-two countries and four international organizations teamed up with Europol to deliver a major blow to organized crime groups operating across the EU and beyond,” said the report, adding that help from the private sector also played a key part in the investigation.

Europol said investigators focused on cases related to irregular immigration, human trafficking, drug trafficking and cybercrimes, and arrested many suspected of participating in networks in Nigeria, Asia, and Eastern Europe.

Rob Wainwright, the law enforcement agency’s director, said the operation led to the opening of a further 440 investigations.

“Countries and organizations across the globe working together as one entity is the modern response to borderless serious and organized crime,” he said.

Operation Circonia Alba is the third in a series of Europol operations against organized crime in the EU.

The first, Operation Archimedes, took place in 2014 and resulted in 1,150 arrests.

In 2015, Operation Blue Amber led to more than 500 arrests and 30.9 tons of cocaine being seized. EFE