Seven people have been arrested as part of a Europol-coordinated operation targeting a migrant smuggling network operating across the English Channel.
The operation, involving authorities from Belgium, Germany, and Italy, targeted a criminal group based in Germany facilitating the transport of Middle Eastern and East African migrants to the UK using low-quality inflatable boats. Raids were conducted on Wednesday across 11 locations in Germany, resulting in five arrests. An additional suspect was detained in the Calabria region of Italy under a European Arrest Warrant issued by Belgian authorities.
During the raids, German authorities seized 90 life vests, multiple jerrycans, two firearms, and over 47 electronic devices.
“The criminal network, active since 2023, transported nautical equipment from storage spaces in Germany to France,” Europol stated. “Drivers were recruited via online platforms for this purpose, transporting the boats, jackets, and other gear in modified vehicles with darkened windows and special compartments.”
Europol emphasised that the criminal network operated with “highly coordinated, arranging several trips per day.” The proceeds from these illegal operations were reportedly laundered through the underground Hawala banking system.
A key suspect, a 25-year-old Iraqi national residing in Germany, had already been arrested earlier on 10 March at Charleroi Airport in Belgium while attempting to board a flight to Greece. He faces charges of human smuggling and involvement in a criminal organisation.
Europol warned that migrant smuggling via small boats has steadily risen since 2019, surpassing lorries as the primary means of illegal migration from the EU to the UK since 2021.
“The criminal networks behind these operations remain highly active, increasingly violent and highly adaptable, continuously developing new crossing techniques,” Europol said, noting the increased risks as networks transport more migrants per boat.
In 2024, more than 36,000 migrants successfully reached the UK, significantly up from approximately 28,000 migrants in 2023. Deaths at sea have also increased, with 78 recorded in 2024 compared to 12 in the previous year.
Europol described migrant smuggling as “an ongoing lethal threat.”
“The criminal networks are using increasingly dangerous modi operandi and increasing the risk to life by transporting higher numbers of migrants per boat.”
The dedicated Europol Operational Taskforce, including Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK, continues efforts to dismantle these smuggling networks. Wednesday’s operation saw ten Belgian investigators deployed to North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany, supported by Europol experts who provided real-time cross-checking against the agency’s databases.
Judicial actions were overseen by Belgium’s West Flanders Investigating Judge and Germany’s Düsseldorf Public Prosecutor’s Office.