European law enforcement authorities have carried out a major international operation that resulted in the arrest of 51 individuals linked to a sophisticated encrypted communication service widely used by organised crime groups. The crackdown was coordinated by Europol and targeted users of a covert platform known as Ghost, which investigators say played a central role in large-scale drug trafficking and money laundering activities.

According to Europol, the suspects were connected to Ghost, an encrypted software system that had become increasingly popular among cybercriminals due to its advanced security and anonymity features. The platform was specifically designed to help users conceal their communications and avoid detection by law enforcement agencies across multiple jurisdictions.

One of Ghost’s most alarming features allowed users to trigger a command that instantly wiped all messages from a device. Europol said this self-destruct mechanism enabled criminals to erase digital evidence, frustrate forensic investigations, and safely coordinate illegal operations across borders without leaving a trace.

In a statement released following the arrests, Europol’s Executive Director Catherine De Bolle said the operation sent a clear warning to organised crime networks. “Today we have demonstrated that even the most secretive criminal infrastructures cannot escape coordinated international law enforcement action,” she said, adding that collective efforts remain crucial in dismantling complex criminal ecosystems.

The breakdown of those arrested highlights the global nature of the network. Authorities confirmed that 38 suspects are Australian, 11 are Irish, one is Canadian, and one is Italian. The Italian suspect is believed to have links to the Sacra Corona Unita, one of Italy’s major organised crime syndicates.

Europol explained that the investigation required extensive cross-border cooperation due to the dispersed nature of the platform’s infrastructure and ownership. Ghost servers were located in France and Iceland, while the individuals believed to control the platform were based in Australia. In addition, investigators traced related financial assets to the United States, further complicating the probe.

To manage the scale and complexity of the operation, Europol established a joint task force involving police and judicial authorities from nine different countries. This coordinated approach allowed investigators to simultaneously target technical infrastructure, financial flows, and key individuals behind the platform.

The operation marks another significant blow to encrypted communication services used by criminal networks and reinforces Europol’s ongoing strategy to disrupt the digital tools that facilitate serious organised crime. Authorities say investigations are continuing, and further arrests or asset seizures cannot be ruled out as the analysis of seized data progresses.