New task force at Europol to target the most dangerous criminal groups involved in human trafficking and migrant smuggling.

Hopes are high for a positive and critical impact to prevent human trafficking, following the launch of a Joint Liaison Task Force Migrant Smuggling and Trafficking in Human Beings (JLT-MS) launched at Europol on 2^nd July 2019.

The new task force, coordinated by Europol’s European Migrant Smuggling Centre (EMSC), will focus on intelligence-led coordinated action against criminal networks involved in migrant smuggling and trafficking of human beings. Liaison officers from all EU Member States and potentially operational cooperation partners will work even closer together to identify networks, prioritise, prepare and execute cross-border operations.. This new operational platform will allow liaison officers from all EU Member States to step up the fight against constantly adapting criminal networks.

Additionally, the new operational platform offers an opportunity to target the proceeds of crime ,in particular money laundering and asset recovery.

Optimistic in responding to the news of the launch of this new task force, Imelda Poole, President RENATE Europe said ‘’This is excellent news. At last, cross border work is being taken really seriously to combat the crime of Human Trafficking and to confront the criminal gangs with even more intelligence than they can muster. It gives hope to us who work at grassroots.’’

Full Press release at: https://www.europol.europa.eu/newsroom/news/new-task-force-europol-to-target-most-dangerous-criminal-groups-involved-in-human-trafficking-and-migrant-smuggling