Amsterdam, 31 March 2023 (dpa/MIA) - Investigators in Brazil have uncovered an international drug smuggling network and confiscated billions of dollars worth of cocaine, according to Europol.

Fifteen people were arrested during the operation, Europol announced on Friday in The Hague. Investigators seized 17 tons of cocaine and assets worth about $87 million.

The alleged drug smuggling ring is one of the largest in Brazil, according to Europol, and has flooded Europe with huge shipments of cocaine.

Europol claimed that investigators had smashed the gang's entire operation, from Paraguayan suppliers to shipping outfits to money launderers who handled the proceeds of the illegal business.

Investigators searched 37 locations, seized 173 vehicles and one plane were confiscated, and froze the bank accounts of 147 people and 66 companies were blocked.

Police also took steps in Spain to confiscate the assets of alleged gang members.

The investigation, dubbed "Operation Hinterland," lasted two years, according to the European police agency.

Authorities in Latin America and Europe struck on Thursday.

The action was directed from two Brazilian command centers and also involved police in France and Spain.

The investigation began with a tip from a German customs agent who, in December 2020, seized 316 kilos of cocaine in the port of Hamburg. A Brazilian company was reportedly behind the shipment.

The investigations started after a tip from German customs. In December 2020, he seized 316 kilograms of cocaine in the port of Hamburg. A Brazilian company is said to have been behind it.

According to Europol, the investigators then succeeded in uncovering transport routes that the gang used to smuggle the hidden cocaine from Paraguay in trucks before exporting it to Europe.