7 arrested for facilitating migrant smuggling across the English Channel

On 19 March 2025, an operation involving law enforcement and judicial authorities from Belgium and Germany, coordinated by Europol, targeted a migrant smuggling network active across the English Channel. The operation was also supported by Italy and Eurojust. The investigation targeted a criminal network based in Germany and involved in criminal activities facilitating the smuggling of Middle Eastern and East African migrants across the English Channel with low-quality inflatable boats.

Officers from the German Federal Police (Bundespolizei) raided several houses and storage spaces under search and arrest warrants issued by the Belgian Court and executed under the supervision of the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Düsseldorf. One arrest following a European Arrest Warrant issued by Belgium was also made in the region of Calabria by the Italian authorities. Ten Belgian investigators were deployed to the German region of North Rhine-Westphalia to support the operational activities on the ground. 

The action day on 19 March led to:

• 6 arrests (5 in Germany and 1 in Italy) under Belgian judicial order
• 11 locations (8 houses and 3 storage spaces) searched in Germany
• Seizures include: 90 life vests, jerrycans, 2 firearms and more than 47 electronic devices.

The criminal network, active since 2023, transported nautical equipment from storage spaces in Germany to France. Drivers recruited via online platforms for this purpose transported the boats, jackets and other gear in modified vehicles with darkened windows and special compartments for the transportation of the equipment. The criminal network was highly coordinated, arranging several trips per day. The illicit proceeds were laundered via the Hawala underground banking system. 

Key suspect arrested earlier

In the lead-up to this large-scale operation, one of the main suspects had already been arrested. On 10 March, a 25-year-old Iraqi national residing in Germany was apprehended early in the morning at Charleroi Airport while attempting to board a flight to Greece. He was interrogated by investigators and brought before the investigative judge on 11 March, who ordered his detention on suspicion of human smuggling and involvement in a criminal organisation.

Migrant smuggling: An ongoing lethal threat

Since 2019, migrant smuggling via small boats has steadily risen, surpassing lorries in 2021 as the primary method of transporting migrants from the EU to the UK. The criminal networks behind these operations remain highly active, increasingly violent and highly adaptable, continuously developing new crossing techniques. The criminal networks are using increasingly dangerous modi operandi and increasing the risk to life by transporting higher numbers of migrants per boat.

In 2024, more than 36 000 migrants and 680 boats successfully reached the UK, up from approximately 28 000 migrants and 580 boats during the same period in 2023. The number of lives lost has also risen – 78 deaths at sea were recorded in 2024, compared to 12 in 2023. So far in 2025, 4 000 migrants have successfully reached the UK, 2 000 of whom arrived in the past three weeks.

EU-wide cooperation to steer operational actions

In July 2022, the first Operational Taskforce (OTF) on migrant smuggling via small boats dismantled the largest network facilitating crossings from France to the UK. Europol then launched a second OTF to combat other criminal groups smuggling migrants across the English Channel, a life-threatening crossing method. Coordinated by Europol, this Taskforce includes Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK. It targets the entire smuggling chain – from migrant recruitment to logistical operations and key organisers – focusing on High Value Targets to dismantle criminal networks. Europol experts, fully engaged in the OTF, have helped to uncover links between multiple national investigations.

Europol created a dedicated financial instrument to support high-profile investigations and assist participating countries. It oversaw the coordination of investigative activities and organised multiple operational meetings for the Taskforce members. On the action day, Europol facilitated the deployment of 10 investigators from Belgium and one from France to various locations in Germany. Additionally, a Europol expert was sent into the field to help German authorities cross-check operational information in real time against Europol’s databases.

Eurojust facilitated cross-border judicial cooperation by enabling information exchange and aligning investigative efforts. Through Eurojust, judicial authorities issued European Investigation Orders and Arrest Warrants, ensuring all legal instruments were in place.

Law enforcement authorities involved in the action day:

Belgium: Belgian Federal Police (Federale Politie / Police Fédérale)
Germany: German Federal Police (Bundespolizei) 
Italy: National Police (Polizia di Stato) and Financial Guard (Guardia di Finanza)

Judicial authorities involved in the action day:

Belgium: Investigating judge West Flanders division Bruges
Germany: Düsseldorf Public Prosecutor’s Office (ZeOS), General Prosecutor’s Offices of Hamm.