Across Mediterranean Routes, International Operation Nabs Gang Members Implicated in Migrant Smuggling, INTERPOL Says
Four-day operation and arrests
Of the 262 people arrested, 221 are accused of migrant smuggling, 16 of human trafficking and 25 of other offenses, including document fraud. The operation also led to 434 new investigations and identified 41 organized criminal groups.
Victims and migrants identified
Agencies uncovered 109 potential human trafficking victims and detected 1,715 irregular migrants. Officers also checked more than 378,000 people, monitored hotspots and increased screening at key locations. In Libya, authorities rescued 34 potential trafficking victims and arrested three people suspected of involvement in an organized group engaged in human trafficking, migrant smuggling and extortion.
Rescue at sea in Morocco
In a separate case cited in the report, a vessel carrying 70 people seeking to migrate was intercepted in southern Morocco. The vessel had been at sea for six days.
The group included 30 minors. The operation’s wider enforcement work pursued investigative leads and sought to disrupt criminal networks using dangerous migration routes into Europe.
Key points
- The four-day operation involved authorities from 16 countries and resulted in 262 arrests.
- Authorities identified 41 organized criminal groups and launched 434 investigations.
- The operation uncovered 109 potential trafficking victims and detected 1,715 irregular migrants.
- A vessel carrying 70 people, including 30 minors, was intercepted in southern Morocco.