Migrant smuggling poses a major security threat to the European Union and the Schengen Area. It relies on complex networks that organise transit and manage the related financial flows. Migrant smuggling often exposes migrants to life-threatening conditions, especially during dangerous sea crossings. The fees charged by smugglers can leave migrants in debt, potentially exposing them to human trafficking and exploitation, including forced labour and sexual exploitation.
Europol plays a key role in combating migrant smuggling and helping national authorities to dismantle smuggling networks. It supports investigations, facilitates information exchange between national authorities, and provides on-site operational support. In several successful operations, Europol helped to identify and arrest migrant smugglers. Some of the dismantled networks were also involved in smuggling of drugs and firearms across EU borders.
Operations supported by Europol across the EU
Europol supported an international operation targeting a migrant smuggling network transporting people from Vietnam to the United Kingdom via Belgium and France. The operation resulted in 19 arrests and uncovered a network with an estimated turnover of over EUR 50 million, which had organised more than 200 transports involving over 1000 migrants. A single migrant paid on average EUR 9 500- 12 000 for the final part of the smuggling process, including visa applications, flights and accommodation. These sums exposed many migrants to exploitation, as they tried to pay debts incurred from high smuggling fees. Europol supported the investigation by facilitating information exchange between Belgian, French and British law enforcement authorities and providing operational coordination. Europol also provided analytical support. It deployed an analyst to France to cross-check operational information against its databases and provide leads to investigators.
Another successful operation supported by Europol uncovered network, that allegedly used forged documents to smuggle migrants by air from mainland Europe to the UK.
The operation in Germany and Serbia led to the arrest of three seniors suspected of smuggling more than 900 migrants into the EU. These migrants, mostly Syrian nationals, were smuggled through different secondary networks. One included an arranged sea crossing from Libya to Lampedusa, smuggling 61 migrants without any safety equipment.
In Southern Europe, Europol supported French and Spanish authorities in an investigation that led to the discovery of a suspected forged-document production facility in Alicante, Spain. Around 800 identity documents were seized. The facility was suspected of supplying fake documents through an online platform for use in migrant smuggling. Europol coordinated operational activities and facilitated information exchange between French and Spanish authorities.
In Spain, an operation targeting a criminal network involved in the maritime smuggling of migrants, drugs and firearms between Europe and Algeria resulted in 78 arrests.
Europol also supported Greek authorities in identifying a network transporting migrants through the Balkans towards Italy using passenger cars and lorries.
The Europol-supported operations uncovered that the migrant smuggling networks are part of widespread international organised crime. This highlights the importance of Europol’s support in combating migrant smuggling, strengthening international coordination, preventing the exploitation of migrants and ensuring border security.
