On 3-13 September, Frontex, the European Border and
Coast Guard Agency, led an international operation against serious and
organised cross-border crime in Central and South Eastern Europe together with
Austrian authorities.
The operation, known as EMPACT Joint Action Day
(JAD) Danube, focused on combatting the smuggling of migrants, fighting
trafficking in human beings and document fraud.
A coordination centre was set up in Vienna to
support the exchange of information among the participants and to lead
investigations into people smuggling and trafficking in human beings as a
result of the operation.
On the ground, Frontex standing corps officers,
along with customs, border guards and police officers from the participating
countries were conducting border checks that brought impressive results.
In just over a week, the operation led to:
- Arrest
of 144 suspected people smugglers
- Detection
of 6656 irregular migrants
- Detection
of 76 fraudulent documents
- Detection
of 13 stolen cars
Trafficking in human beings is one of the most
profitable forms of organised crime, generating billions of euros for criminal
networks. Frontex plays an active role in combatting this crime through such
activities as Joint Action Days but also through training border guards across
Europe. The agency runs a number of operations at international airports, too,
aimed at detecting and safeguarding victims of trafficking, especially
children. Together with specialists in Trafficking in Human Beings (THB)
prevention across Europe, Frontex created a manual for border guards and
airport staff to help spot children who may be victims of trafficking.
The operation was part of European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats
(EMPACT),
a four-year plan for the fight against serious and organised crime. It brings
together police and law enforcement authorities of EU Member States, European
agencies and international organisations to jointly strengthen Europe’s borders
and internal security.
Participants included Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Romania,
Greece, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro and
Albania. Europol and Interpol also supported the operation
The operation was coordinated under the
umbrella of the European Multidisciplinary Platform against Criminal Threats
(EMPACT) as part of the EU Policy Cycle, a four-year plan for the fight against
serious and organised crime. It brings together police and law enforcement
authorities of EU Member States, European agencies and international
organisations to jointly strengthen Europe’s borders and internal security. The
results and intelligence gathered will help in ongoing and future
investigations.
