An international operation led by the International Criminal Police Organisation has resulted in the arrest of 262 suspects linked to migrant smuggling, human trafficking and other crimes, as well as the commencement of 434 investigations.
The operation, which targeted organised criminal networks operating along the Mediterranean Sea and West African Atlantic migration routes, also identified 109 potential victims of human trafficking and intercepted 1,715 irregular migrants across participating countries.
INTERPOL disclosed the figures in a statement published on its website on Tuesday, following the four-day exercise conducted between October 5 and 8, 2026.
According to the agency, 221 of the suspects were arrested over alleged migrant smuggling offences, 16 over human trafficking, while 25 others were apprehended for various crimes, including the production and use of fraudulent documents.
Code-named Operation Communis Maris, the exercise brought together 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 law enforcement officers screened more than 378,000 individuals, monitored identified hotspots and intensified security checks at strategic locations.
INTERPOL said its officials were deployed to an Operational Coordination Unit in Athens, Greece, to facilitate intelligence exchange and coordinate activities among participating countries.
The agency also disclosed that 210,594 searches were carried out through its databases during the exercise to assist authorities in identifying suspects and gathering criminal intelligence.
The Director of Organised and Emerging Crime at INTERPOL, David Caunter, said the operation was critical in tackling criminal networks that exploit vulnerable migrants and subject them to dangerous 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.
“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 the operation, INTERPOL said Moroccan authorities intercepted a vessel carrying 70 prospective migrants, including 30 minors, who had spent six days at sea.
In a separate incident, Senegalese authorities alerted neighbouring countries about a wooden boat that had departed the country’s territorial waters.
The vessel, which had 80 passengers, including two children, was intercepted the following day by Mauritanian authorities, who arrested three suspected organisers.
INTERPOL also reported that Tunisian security operatives foiled an attempted illegal sea crossing, arresting three nationals suspected of organising migrant smuggling.
A boat, marine engine and other equipment were recovered.
The agency said participating authorities identified 41 organised criminal groups suspected of involvement in migrant smuggling during the operation.
In Libya, authorities rescued 34 potential victims of human trafficking and arrested three suspects allegedly connected to a criminal network involved in trafficking, migrant smuggling and extortion.
Similarly, Algerian law enforcement officers arrested six suspects linked to a migrant-smuggling network.
The suspects were also accused of endangering minors.
In Syria, coordinated maritime patrols and surveillance operations led to a raid on a facility allegedly used by migrant smugglers.
Seven suspects, including the alleged leader of the network, were arrested, while 22 irregular migrants were intercepted.
INTERPOL further said participating countries expanded their investigations beyond maritime routes by increasing airport checks and targeting fraudulent travel documents allegedly used by criminal networks.
According to the agency, suspects were arrested in Cyprus and Greece over attempts to travel using forged documents, while Moroccan authorities apprehended an individual suspected of supplying fake passports and recruiting people for irregular migration.
