The UK has announced plans to deploy “mafia-busting” strategies in collaboration with Italy to dismantle international people-smuggling operations.
Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, unveiled the initiative on Sunday during her visit to Italy, where she discussed the formation of a joint taskforce designed to replicate Italy’s success in targeting organised crime and illicit financial networks.
High-ranking officials from the UK and Italy, alongside representatives from the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Italian law enforcement, met on Friday to solidify a “follow the money” strategy aimed at disrupting the financial systems underpinning human trafficking syndicates.
The initiative will see British and Italian officers, experienced financial investigators, and forensic accountants work in unison to freeze assets, conduct joint operations, and increase prosecutions against people-smuggling networks.
The collaboration includes sharing intelligence and leveraging specialist expertise gained from tackling mafia-style crime in Italy.
The UK’s Border Security Command has provided Italy with a classified assessment of financial threats linked to organised immigration crimes. This analysis includes insights into the methods used by these groups to launder and utilise illicit funds.
One area of focus is the hawala money transfer system, which enables transactions without physical cash crossing borders. By tracking such activities, both countries aim to curtail the gangs’ financial operations.
Additionally, efforts will be made to bolster national and international legislation, simplifying the process of confiscating criminal profits. The taskforce seeks to establish a framework to encourage greater European collaboration in dismantling these networks.
Ms Cooper also announced a £8 million funding boost for immigration enforcement officers in the UK.
The funding will provide biometric kits and body-worn cameras to help gather evidence during operations targeting illegal workers. She revealed that the UK is on track to hit a five-year high in deportations of illegal migrants and convicted criminals.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Ms Cooper stated: “Italy is a global leader in dismantling high-impact criminal organisations and disrupting mafia-style networks, making them an ideal partner for us in this fight.
“Our joint taskforce sends a clear warning to people-smuggling gangs: We are coming for your money.”
This enhanced collaboration underscores the commitment of both nations to target the financial underpinnings of people-smuggling networks, thereby crippling their operations and bringing those responsible to justice.
