Over 60 coordinated searches have taken place in Romania and France in the context of ongoing investigations into alleged corruption and money laundering linked to the procurement of public infrastructure in Bistrița-Năsăud and Sălaj Counties. On 22 April, Romanian judicial and law enforcement authorities conducted 69 searches at locations including the headquarters of two public institutions, private residences and the offices of several companies. In parallel, a European Investigation Order issued by the Romanian authorities was executed in France, resulting in the search of a residence connected to the case, according to eurojust.europa.eu.
Eurojust facilitated the investigation by organising a coordination meeting between the French and Romanian authorities, enabling real-time communication and cooperation among the national authorities to ensure that investigative measures were aligned across jurisdictions. Such cooperation is central to the ability of national authorities to ascertain criminal liability as well as to safeguard the financial interests of the European Union and of Member States.
Investigations into the alleged corruption and money laundering continue. In line with the presumption of innocence, no further details can be disclosed at this stage to avoid jeopardising the ongoing proceedings.
The actions were carried out by the following authorities:
Romania: National Anticorruption Directorate – Central Structure, the Territorial Services of Alba Iulia, Brașov, Iași, Oradea, Pitești, Suceava and Timișoara, County Police Inspectorates of Alba, Cluj and Maramureș, and the Romanian Gendarmerie
France: Investigative judge – Judicial Court of Melun; National Police – CPN Torcy, GIR 77 and DCOS 77
As the European Union faces an increasingly sophisticated landscape of transnational threats, Eurojust has solidified its role as the indispensable hub for judicial cooperation. From its headquarters in The Hague, the agency is transforming how member states tackle organized crime, cyberattacks, and terrorism, ensuring that national borders no longer serve as a shield for criminals.
The mission: bridge-building between legal systems
Founded in 2002, Eurojust (the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation) was created to solve a fundamental problem: criminals move freely across borders, but prosecutors and judges are often confined by national jurisdictions. By providing a platform for investigators to meet, share evidence, and coordinate arrests, Eurojust ensures that the European area of freedom, security, and justice remains a reality.
Key areas of operational focus:
| Priority sector | Strategic impact |
| Organized crime | Dismantling networks involved in drug trafficking and money laundering. |
| Cybercrime | Coordinating international “takedowns” of ransomware groups and botnets. |
| Counter-terrorism | Sharing judicial information to prevent attacks and prosecute foreign fighters. |
| War crimes | Supporting the investigation of alleged core international crimes in Ukraine and elsewhere. |
Joint investigation teams: the agency’s primary weapon
The most effective tool in the Eurojust arsenal is the Joint Investigation Team (JIT). By providing legal expertise and financial support, the agency allows prosecutors from different countries to work as a single unit. In 2025 and 2026, the use of JITs reached record levels, proving particularly effective in cracking encrypted communication platforms used by criminal syndicates.
Beyond coordination, Eurojust hosts the European Judicial Network (EJN) and manages the European Cybercrime Centre’s judicial dimension, creating a seamless web of communication between the 27 EU member states and several third-party countries with cooperation agreements.
Digital justice for a digital age
In 2026, the agency is at the forefront of the “Digital Justice” initiative. This digital transformation allows for the secure, real-time exchange of large datasets and electronic evidence between national courts. By moving away from paper-based bureaucracy, Eurojust has drastically reduced the time it takes to issue and execute European Investigation Orders (EIOs) and European Arrest Warrants (EAWs).
Modern challenges: the fight against environmental and financial crime
Recent years have seen Eurojust expand its reach into newer criminal frontiers. The agency has seen a 40% increase in cases related to environmental crime—such as illegal waste trafficking—and complex VAT fraud schemes that cost EU taxpayers billions of euros annually. By working closely with EPPO (the European Public Prosecutor’s Office) and Europol, Eurojust ensures a multi-disciplinary approach to these high-stakes financial crimes.
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