International Migrant Smuggling Network Dismantled Between Middle East and Europe
Guardia di Finanza operation: 13 arrests and discovery of an illegal "travel agency" that exploited the desperation of migrants.
International migrant smuggling network between Middle East and Europe dismantled.
A major police operation has exposed and dismantled an illegal travel agency that operated on a European scale, facilitating the trafficking of migrants from the Middle East to Europe. The operation, conducted by the financial police of the Crotone Provincial Command in collaboration with the Central Service for the Investigation of Organized Crime (SCICO) of Rome and coordinated by the District Anti-Mafia Directorate (DDA) of Catanzaro, led to the arrest of 13 members of this organization.
A structured and branched organization
The organization, which had its roots in Crotone, extended through a complex network involving Iraq, Turkey, Greece and several countries in Europe. The modus operandi involved the organization of illegal trips for migrants, with prices ranging between 10.000 and 15.000 euros per person. The main Italian destinations were the coasts of Calabria, in particular Crotone and Roccella Jonica, from where the migrants were then transferred to Northern Europe, often through the Ventimiglia border crossing.
The acting prosecutor of Catanzaro, Vincenzo Capomolla, said that the organization's primary goal was to exploit the desperation of migrants, who were described in a derogatory way as "sheep" or "pigeons." These expressions reveal the dehumanizing attitude with which the gang members treated people who sought help to escape from extremely difficult life situations.
The operating modes
The operation also revealed details about the internal workings of the network. The regional commander of the Guardia di Finanza of Calabria, Gianluigi D'Alfonso, highlighted how the organization not only organized the trips, but also had an accurate knowledge of the migration routes, monitoring the traffic that started from Kurdistan towards Europe. The Cara of Isola Capo Rizzuto was an important collection point for migrants, many of whom did not request asylum and were provided with temporary support before being sent to Ventimiglia.
The gang also made use of minimarkets and telephone shops in Ventimiglia, Milano and Rome as travel payment centers, using the Hawala money transfer system, common in international traffic.
Risks and safety
An alarming aspect of the investigation is the use of authentic, blank passports, many of which are from Iraq, also used by terrorist groups. An investigation revealed that one of the suspects, Mhamad Abdula Tahsin, had access to these passports and had claimed previous experience in migrant smuggling, highlighting the high profits obtained through this illicit activity.
The operation that dismantled this migrant smuggling network represents a major step forward in the fight against organised crime that exploits the vulnerability of people seeking a better life. The ability of these organisations to operate on an international scale highlights the need for cooperation between European law enforcement agencies and a multidisciplinary approach to address the complex issues of immigration and human trafficking.
The investigation will continue, with the aim of identifying further accomplices and completely dismantling the trafficking network, while ensuring the protection of migrants' rights and the safety of European communities.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni: "I thank the Guardia di Finanza of Crotone, the Scico and the Dda of Catanzaro for the brilliant operation that led to the dismantling of an international criminal organization dedicated to human trafficking and money laundering. It is an absolute priority to fight those who exploit the legitimate desire of people to find more favorable living conditions to fatten their profits. The Government is determined to dismantle these criminal networks and to eradicate illegal human trafficking, which fuels the interests of the slavers of the Third Millennium. Our commitment continues. We will continue to work tirelessly to defend our borders and to re-establish a fundamental principle: you can only enter Italy legally, following the rules and procedures provided for”.
The Minister of the Interior, Matteo Piantedosi: "What was brought to light by the Guardia di Finanza operation, coordinated by the Catanzaro District Anti-Mafia Directorate, is further evidence that human trafficking is a growing plague that must be fought without delay or underestimation. My appreciation goes to the police and the judiciary for their constant commitment on this front"
“The picture that emerges from the complex investigations – continues Piantedosi – confirms the need to continue along the path taken by this Government to fight with all means, including preventive measures, unscrupulous criminals who enrich themselves by endangering the very lives of migrants.”
“All this makes it clear how important it is – concludes the Minister – to overcome the sometimes ideological positions of those who continue to support indiscriminate reception even when this ends up, in fact, favoring the shameful interests of criminal groups”.
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