The number of investigations into people smuggling rose significantly in 2023, according to Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA). Smuggling rings were found to use small trucks to transport people over long distances, resulting in fatalities during transit. Border controls in Europe have increased pressure on these rings, with Interior Minister Nancy Faeser highlighting the international cooperation in combating smuggling.
BKA Chief Holger Münch emphasized the challenges posed by the international connections of smuggling networks. Most suspects in people smuggling cases in 2023 were German citizens, but the overall proportion of foreign nationals among suspected perpetrators increased compared to the previous year. The total losses from organized crime in 2023 amounted to €2.7 billion, highlighting the lucrative nature of cross-border criminal activities.
Global cooperation was stressed as essential in the fight against organized crime, as authorities face challenges in investigating and combating criminal organizations. As the battle against sophisticated criminal enterprises continues, calls for increased powers to tackle cybercrime and encrypted communication have emerged.
This article was originally written in German.
