INTERPOL arrests 262 human trafficking suspects, others

An international operation targeting organised criminal networks involved in migrant smuggling across the Mediterranean Sea and the West African Atlantic route has led to the arrest of 262 suspects and the opening of 434 investigations.

The operation, conducted between October 5 and 8, 2026, also identified 109 potential victims of human trafficking and intercepted 1,715 irregular migrants across participating countries.

The International Criminal Police Organisation, also known as INTERPOL, disclosed this in a statement published on its website on Tuesday.

It said 221 of those arrested were suspected of migrant smuggling, 16 were accused of human trafficking, while 25 others were apprehended over offences including the production and use of fraudulent documents.

The four-day exercise, code-named Operation Communis Maris, involved law enforcement and border management agencies from 16 countries across North and West Africa, southern Europe and the Middle East.

“An international operation targeting criminal organisations involved in migrant smuggling across the Mediterranean Sea and the West African Atlantic route has resulted in 262 arrests and 434 new investigations.

“Operation Communis Maris (5 – 8 October 2026) also identified 109 potential victims of human trafficking and detected 1,715 irregular migrants. Of the 262 suspects arrested, 221 are accused of migrant smuggling offences, 16 of human trafficking and 25 of other crimes, including the production and use of fraudulent documents.

“Led by INTERPOL with operational support from Europol, Frontex, AFRIPOL, the International Organisation for Migration, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the operation aimed to dismantle organised crime networks, identify smugglers, rescue people at risk and bring perpetrators to justice, “the statement partly read.

During the operation, 7,660 officers screened more than 378,000 people, monitored identified hotspots and strengthened security checks at strategic locations.

“During the action days, 7,660 officers checked more than 378,000 individuals, monitored hotspots, strengthened screening at key locations and pursued investigative leads

“INTERPOL said the operation was aimed at dismantling criminal networks, identifying human smugglers, rescuing vulnerable migrants and bringing those involved in the crimes to justice,” INTERPOL said.

The agency added that its officials were deployed to an Operational Coordination Unit in Athens, Greece, to facilitate intelligence sharing and coordinate activities among participating countries.

It said 210,594 searches were conducted through INTERPOL databases during the exercise to help authorities identify suspects and obtain relevant criminal intelligence.

The Director of Organised and Emerging Crime at INTERPOL, David Caunter, said the operation was necessary to address the activities of criminal groups exploiting vulnerable migrants and exposing them to life-threatening journeys.

He said, “The Mediterranean Sea is one of the world’s deadliest migration corridors, claiming thousands of lives annually. Smugglers exploit vulnerable populations, often subjecting them to abuse, extortion and trafficking, as well as risking migrants’ lives on overcrowded, unseaworthy vessels.

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“INTERPOL is uniquely placed to facilitate cross-border collaboration so countries can identify criminals, dismantle their networks and supply chains, and ultimately save human lives.”

Giving details of some of the operations, INTERPOL said Moroccan authorities intercepted a vessel carrying 70 prospective migrants, including 30 minors, who had spent six days at sea.

In another incident, Senegalese officials alerted neighbouring countries to a wooden boat that had left the country’s territorial waters.

The vessel, carrying 80 passengers, including two children, was intercepted the following day by Mauritanian authorities, who arrested three suspected organisers.

INTERPOL said Tunisian security operatives also disrupted an attempted illegal sea crossing, arresting three nationals suspected of organising migrant smuggling. A boat, marine engine and other equipment were recovered.

The agency disclosed that participating authorities identified 41 organised criminal groups involved in migrant smuggling during the four-day operation.

In Libya, authorities rescued 34 potential victims of human trafficking and arrested three suspects allegedly linked to a criminal network involved in human trafficking, migrant smuggling and extortion.

Similarly, Algerian law enforcement officers arrested six suspects in connection with a migrant-smuggling network, with the suspects also facing allegations of endangering minors.

In Syria, coordinated maritime patrols and surveillance operations led to a raid on a facility allegedly used by migrant smugglers, resulting in the arrest of seven suspects, including the alleged leader of the network.

Twenty-two irregular migrants were also intercepted during the operation.

INTERPOL further disclosed that authorities extended their investigations beyond maritime routes by strengthening checks at airports and targeting the fraudulent travel documents used by criminal networks.

It said security operatives in Cyprus and Greece arrested suspects over attempts to travel with forged documents, while Moroccan authorities apprehended an individual suspected of supplying fake passports and recruiting people for irregular migration.