Law enforcement agency Europol said in a press statement that it conducted a joint action day exploring the danger of exploitation which Ukrainian refugee women can be exposed to. Several potential human traffickers were identified as part of the coordinated effort.
Europol says eight human smuggling "kingpins" were arrested in a European police operation that also dismantled a large secret network accused of transporting some 10,000 migrants to the continent - mainly Afghans, Pakistanis and Syrians.
A joint police operation between Greek and German forces has resulted in one arrest and four raided locations belonging to a smuggling ring operating between Germany and Greece.
Europol announced that 24 suspects have been arrested for smuggling migrants, drugs and stolen goods into and through Europe.
Spanish police have broken up a gang that smuggled hundreds of migrants across the Balkans into the European Union, cramming them in trucks in inhumane conditions. Police in nine countries were involved in the operation, authorities said on Thursday.
Police in northern Greece have arrested 13 people accused of migrant smuggling. The men reportedly abducted and tortured migrants as young as 16 years old.
Spanish police say they have rounded up 20 people accused of smuggling migrants through Spain's overseas Ceuta enclave. The "organized crime group" is also accused of murdering four people who drowned during an attempted sea crossing in February.
European police have arrested a dozen people suspected of smuggling migrants across the English Channel to Britain. The mainly Iranian gang reportedly charged migrants thousands of euros per crossing.
Will irregular migration to Europe increase again once COVID-19 related travel restrictions are lifted? Europol thinks so. In a new report, the European Union's policing agency also said the coronavirus pandemic is already changing migrant smuggling and trafficking.
Italian and French police with the support of Europol has uncovered a criminal group that allegedly trafficked thousands of Pakistani, Indian and Bangladeshi immigrants from Asia to several European countries. That's according to investigative sources from Monday.
Europol said 29 people have been arrested in France and Spain, accused of being part of a criminal ring involved in trafficking migrants, including minors.
Europol set up a new task force in charge of combating human trafficking networks. Its head Robert Crepinko said that in addition to addressing new ways of smuggling, the task force would also deal with the use of fraudulent documents, money laundering and the role of social media in illegal migration. He also stressed that there is a rise in violence among smuggling gangs as a means to maximize profits.