Operation BULUT: Encrypted Chats from Sky ECC, ANOM Lead to 232 Arrests

Intelligence from encrypted platforms like Sky ECC and ANOM has led to the arrest of 232 individuals and the seizure of millions in assets in a major European law enforcement operation against drug trafficking.

A joint law enforcement operation (dubbed Operation BULUT) involving international agencies has resulted in the successful dismantling of several well-established criminal organisations, mostly involved in moving illegal drugs into Europe and Türkiye. The operation was codenamed “BULUT,” meaning “cloud” in Turkish.

The operation, supported by Europol, took place on April 15, 2025, and involved coordinated raids across multiple countries, resulting in the arrest of over 230 individuals. These arrests targeted both the leaders and the logistical arms of these powerful networks.

The operation’s success is attributed to the continued ability of investigators to access and interpret information from encrypted communication platforms, even though it spanned numerous legal jurisdictions.

Tools like Sky ECC and ANOM, despite ...