Europol launches new centre to crack down on migrant smuggling

Europol has launched a new unit to strengthen the fight against migrant smuggling across Europe and beyond.

The European Centre Against Migrant Smuggling (ECAMS) will focus on dismantling criminal networks that exploit migrants for profit, often putting lives at risk. Announcing the launch, Europol chief Catherine De Bolle said smugglers treat people as commodities and must be stopped.

The new centre will gather and analyse intelligence from EU countries, helping police identify key suspects and coordinate cross-border operations more effectively. It aims to speed up investigations and improve results through a stronger use of data and analytics.

A key priority is tackling smugglers online. Criminal groups increasingly use social media, encrypted messaging and cryptocurrencies to recruit migrants, organise journeys and handle payments. ECAMS will expand digital investigations and support specialist teams tracking these activities.

The unit will also target the financial side of smuggling networks, which often rely on complex systems to hide profits. By following the money, authorities hope to disrupt the business model behind the crime.

Europol said the centre will boost cooperation between EU member states and international partners, as smuggling networks operate across multiple countries. Collaboration with agencies such as Frontex and Eurojust will also be strengthened.

The launch builds on a decade of work by Europol in tackling migrant smuggling. In 2025 alone, the agency supported around 200 operations and coordinated 56 joint action days across Europe.

Officials say the new centre marks a step towards a more coordinated and global response to an increasingly complex and evolving crime.

^{Members of Spanish Guardia Civil, supported by Europol © JORGE GUERRERO / AFP}