Switzerland is no island

The leader of several criminal gangs specialising in extortion and armed robbery is on the move around Europe. The man goes about his ‘business affairs’, investing his ill-gotten gains. He also comes to Switzerland regularly…A European investigation team that includes fedpol monitors his comings and goings, patiently documenting his every move in order to foil his activities and dismantle the criminal gangs he heads.

A Swiss couple has been radicalised. The man spends a lot of time on the internet, communicating in particular with a group of young French people whose enthusiasm for jihadism he shares. A Swiss-French investigation team is set up and information is exchanged, giving impetus to the investigations. The co-ordinated operation leads to the arrest of a dozen suspects.

A Swiss paedophile is spotted on the internet thanks to collaborative work by American and European police, including fedpol. The cantonal investigations show that the man has repeatedly committed sexual offences against minors. He will be convicted.
Crime fiction? No. These are a few random examples of the numerous cases fedpol deals with every day. Crime today is a reflection of our society: interconnected, mobile, global. And Switzerland is no European island.

Our latest annual report illustrates this reality. All the stories have a common message: the importance of police co-operation. Police co-operation is essential for responding to the terrorist challenge. It is essential for assembling joint investigation teams and enhancing our striking force. And it is essential for combating human trafficking and migrant smuggling.

Police co-operation is in our DNA. It is our best weapon against crime today.

I wish you an enjoyable read.
Nicoletta della Valle, Director

Documents

Annual Report fedpol 2017 (PDF, 3 MB, 22.06.2020)