Europol arrests 24 for smuggling migrants, drugs and stolen goods
Europol announced that 24 suspects have been arrested for smuggling migrants, drugs and stolen goods into and through Europe.
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Migrant smuggling ring operating across EU busted by Spanish police
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.
Migrants allegedly tortured by smugglers in Greece
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.
Alleged migrant smugglers arrested in Spain
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.
Channel smugglers 'made huge profits', European police
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.
Europol: Migrant smuggling patterns changing due to coronavirus
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.
Police arrest suspected criminals for trafficking migrants from Asia to Europe
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.
Police in Spain and France arrest 29 for migrant trafficking
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.
New Europol task force to tackle human trafficking
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.
Migrants arrested on Crete with forged passports
71 migrants have been arrested on the Greek island of Crete. The German news agency dpa reports, the migrants carried fake passports and identity cards and had intended to travel onto other European countries.