A large operation within the EU uncovered a Vietnamese crime network that facilitated the illegal immigration of Vietnamese nationals for working at cannabis cultivation sites. The operation involved law enforcement authorities from the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Poland and the UK, Europol and Eurojust.
26 individuals were arrested, 15 irregular migrants found and 37 searches were carried out. 1750 cannabis plants worth approximately EUR 1.5 million were discovered. The criminal group, operating since at least 2010, was using real or forged identification documents to facilitate the Vietnamese migrants’ entry into the EU.
Each migrant paid between EUR 10 000 and EUR 15 000 to the criminal group to get into countries such as the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Poland and the UK. On the action day Europol provided operational analysis reports and deployed mobile offices to Poland and UK to provide real time cross-checks of data.
“From 2013 to 2014 alone, the number of irregular migrants trying to reach the EU has increased by 332%”
During 2014, a surge in the number of irregular migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea led to an increasing number of serious incidents and the loss of hundreds of lives. From 2013 to 2014 alone, the number of irregular migrants trying to reach the EU has increased by 332%. Ruthless OCGs organise sea crossings in vessels not sea-worthy and charge migrants thousands of euros for their facilitation services. Europol has been at the forefront of attempts to combating these OCGs and hosts a multi-national team fighting the facilitation of illegal immigration – the Joint Operational Team (JOT) MARE.
JOT MARE makes use of Europol’s unique intelligence capacities allowing the exchange of vital information in real time in order to disrupt networks operating from Libya and Turkey as well as other North African countries and responsible for transporting migrants in life-threatening conditions. Europol’s partners involved in the JOT MARE are Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Frontex and Interpol.
Witness protection is an important tool in cases of human trafficking and, in general, is crucial in the fight against organised crime and terrorism in Europe and abroad.
A dedicated network on witness protection is led by Europol to facilitate the exchange of expertise - through Europol’s documentation in this area - and capacity building. The network includes representatives from 67 countries from all over the world, all international tribunals and the UNODC.
After entering the EU, the travel of irregular migrants to their final destination countries is often facilitated. In June 2014, a joint investigation team coordinated the dismantling of an Albanian network involved in smuggling people. The operation involved French and British authorities, supported by Europol and Eurojust.
Over the last two years the network had recruited around 200 migrants in Albania, transported them to France and then to the UK. The main suspects earned several thousand euros per migrant.
