INTERPOL Leaders Meet in Spain to Combat Global Organized Crime Networks

INTERPOL convened a major regional conference in Toledo, Spain, to address the rise of transnational organized crime. More than 140 senior police officials from across Europe and other regions gathered for the two-day event. The meeting focused on how criminal networks are changing their methods in a digital world. This gathering is part of a larger effort to modernize how different nations share information about illegal activities. Aina Calvo Sastre, Spain’s Secretary of State for Security, opened the event by welcoming the international delegates. She emphasized that globalization has created new opportunities for criminals that require a united response. Sastre noted that Spain is committed to international police cooperation to protect millions of people. She highlighted that addressing shared threats like cybercrime and drug trafficking is essential for modern safety. INTERPOL President Lucas Philippe also addressed the assembly during the meeting held on May 20 and 21, 2026. He told the delegates that the strength of the organization comes from its ability to create a shared language for policing. Philippe urged the leaders to move beyond just diagnosing problems and focus on taking direct action. He stated that the conference should be a space where cooperation reflexes are reinforced for the future. One of the main topics discussed was the emergence of "crime-as-a-service" ecosystems. These digital platforms allow criminals to buy tools and services to carry out illegal acts more easily. This development has led to an increase in cyber-enabled fraud and financial crimes on a massive scale. Experts at the meeting explained that these services make it easier for even low-level criminals to launch complex attacks. The conference also highlighted the growth of industrial-scale scam centers that target victims across different continents. These centers use sophisticated technology to trick people out of their money and personal information. Police leaders examined how these operations are becoming more organized and harder to track. They discussed the need for better technology to locate these centers, which often operate across multiple borders. Drug trafficking remains a top priority for the law enforcement officials attending the summit. They discussed how trafficking routes now stretch from Latin America directly into major European ports. The delegates looked for ways to better monitor these routes and disrupt the flow of illegal substances. Strengthening the security at these ports is seen as a vital step in stopping the spread of organized crime groups. Another concern raised was the way criminal groups are infiltrating legitimate businesses to hide their activities. By using legal companies as fronts, these groups can wash illegal money and expand their influence. This practice makes it difficult for investigators to separate honest business from criminal enterprise. Officials discussed new ways to audit businesses to find these hidden connections to organized crime. The role of digital platforms in facilitating crime was a recurring theme throughout the two-day meeting. Criminals are using encrypted messaging and social media to coordinate their efforts and recruit new members. Law enforcement agencies are working to develop new tools to monitor these platforms without violating privacy laws. Finding a balance between security and personal freedom remains a key challenge for these leaders. INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza spoke about the importance of National Central Bureaus, or NCBs. These offices act as the link between INTERPOL and the local police in each of the 196 member countries. Urquiza stated that a gap in the network anywhere creates a vulnerability for everyone else. He encouraged every member country to fully use the tools and databases provided by the organization. The delegates agreed that sharing intelligence quickly is the best way to fight modern crime syndicates. When one country discovers a new scam or trafficking method, they must inform their international partners immediately. This rapid exchange of information helps police stay one step ahead of organized groups. The conference participants pledged to improve the speed at which they report new criminal trends. Looking ahead, the conference participants discussed the growing role of artificial intelligence in criminal activity. AI can be used to create deepfakes for fraud or to automate cyberattacks against critical infrastructure. Police leaders are now exploring how they can use AI themselves to detect and prevent these threats. They believe that technology must be met with even better technology to keep the public safe. The meeting in Toledo concluded with a commitment to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation. Officials left the conference with new strategies to address hate crimes, irregular migration networks, and drug smuggling. The event served as a reminder that modern policing requires a global perspective to be effective. Leaders plan to meet again to review their progress on these shared security goals.