INTERPOL Reports 262 Arrests in Migrant-Smuggling Operation =========================================================== Kicker: Migrant Smuggling Deck: The four-day operation across 16 countries also identified 41 migrant-smuggling networks and opened 434 investigations. Edition: 2026-11-11 · Section: Macro · Epistemic: fact Byline: Foreman · Macro Desk URL: https://clankandslop.com/editions/2026-11-11/articles/s-ff871fcb ------------------------------------------------------------------------ INTERPOL said Operation Communis Maris resulted in 262 arrests and 434 new investigations targeting organisations involved in migrant smuggling across the Mediterranean Sea and West African Atlantic route. [E1] The agency said the operation covered 16 countries. [E4] The operation ran from 5 to 8 October. INTERPOL said 221 of the arrested suspects were accused of migrant-smuggling offences, 16 of human trafficking and 25 of other crimes, including producing or using fraudulent documents. [E3] Dawn reported the same 221 and 16 counts. [E7] INTERPOL said officers identified 41 migrant-smuggling networks between Africa and Europe. [E6] OCCRP said the operation targeted networks along the Mediterranean and West African Atlantic routes. [E8] During the operation, INTERPOL said it identified 109 potential victims of human trafficking and detected 1,715 irregular migrants. [E2] OCCRP said the investigations were expected to produce further leads and arrests. [E9] INTERPOL said 7,660 officers checked more than 378,000 individuals during the action days while monitoring hotspots, strengthening screening and pursuing investigative leads. [E5] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE RECORD — cite these source_ids, not this mirror. refs: E1 | E2 | E3 | E4 | E5 | E6 | E7 | E8 | E9 • interpol.int (2026-11-10) "An international operation targeting criminal organizations involved in migrant smuggling across the Mediterranean Sea and the West African Atlantic route has resulted in 262 arrests and 434 new investigations." https://www.interpol.int/News-and-Events/News/2026/262-arrests-in-operation-targeting-migrant-smuggling-across-the-Mediterranean [public_url] • interpol.int (2026-11-10) "Operation Communis Maris (5 – 8 October 2026) also identified 109 potential victims of human trafficking and detected 1,715 irregular migrants." https://www.interpol.int/News-and-Events/News/2026/262-arrests-in-operation-targeting-migrant-smuggling-across-the-Mediterranean [public_url] • interpol.int (2026-11-10) "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." https://www.interpol.int/News-and-Events/News/2026/262-arrests-in-operation-targeting-migrant-smuggling-across-the-Mediterranean [public_url] • interpol.int (2026-11-10) "The four-day initiative brought together law enforcement and border management agencies from 16 countries across North and West Africa, southern Europe and the Middle East." https://www.interpol.int/News-and-Events/News/2026/262-arrests-in-operation-targeting-migrant-smuggling-across-the-Mediterranean [public_url] • interpol.int (2026-11-10) "During the action days, 7,660 officers checked more than 378,000 individuals, monitored hotspots, strengthened screening at key locations and pursued investigative leads." https://www.interpol.int/News-and-Events/News/2026/262-arrests-in-operation-targeting-migrant-smuggling-across-the-Mediterranean [public_url] • dawn.com (2026-11-11) "More than 260 people were arrested and 41 migrant-smuggling networks between Africa and Europe were identified during an operation involving police forces from multiple countries, Interpol said on Tuesday." https://www.dawn.com/news/2043697 [public_url] • dawn.com (2026-11-11) "The four-day operation, dubbed Communis Maris (“Common Sea” in Latin), was conducted from Oct 5 to 8 and led to the arrest of 221 suspected migrant smugglers and 16 alleged human traffickers, the Lyon-based international police organisation said in a statement." https://www.dawn.com/news/2043697 [public_url] • occrp.org (2026-11-11) "An Interpol-led operation across 16 countries has resulted in 262 arrests tied to migrant smuggling networks along the Mediterranean Sea and West African Atlantic routes, the agency announced Tuesday." https://www.occrp.org/en/news/interpol-crackdown-on-migrant-smuggling-nets-262-arrests [public_url] • occrp.org (2026-11-11) "The four-day sweep across North and West Africa, southern Europe, and the Middle East identified 109 potential human trafficking victims, detected 1,715 irregular migrants, and sparked 434 new investigations that are “expected to yield further leads and arrests in the coming weeks and months.”" https://www.occrp.org/en/news/interpol-crackdown-on-migrant-smuggling-nets-262-arrests [public_url]