This could be anything, but one item MA may want to look into is the database server(s) running. I did a test last night to find that there is lag as hell. 20 seconds to load AH not counting the lag I've always had the last few months simply opening up Inventory. I'm guessing people will see the most lag with items that have the most attachments since every time you use such items, the server bogs down slowly retrieving the data for each and every item attached from the database server causing the lag.
What MA needs to do NOW is get the people who work on this off the other database projects and work on the main project now. But for now, call one of them and ask them how to access the server's error logs and I'm guessing you may see large files waiting to be read.
And I sure hope that the base database farm for EU isn't supporting Compets and DeepToken.
Edit As well:
If by chance you have given ND team access to the farm or even delegated it to them while working on your other projects, please look into this due to the simply fact his team most times likes to work on the cheap and most likely is using a second hand service for the needed core.
Edit 2: I can easily see his team using a Cloud service. That could be the red flag right there.