G7 countries agree on new plan to dismantle migrant smuggling gangs – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

The Home Secretary has agreed a major international plan to destroy criminal gangs responsible for smuggling illegal migrants into G7 countries

The G7 Anti-Smuggling Action Plan will boost UK law enforcement by promoting closer cooperation with G7 partners to strengthen border security, combat transnational organized crime and protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation by migrant smugglers.

New joint investigative actions will be carried out by law enforcement teams to tackle criminal smuggling routes, while intelligence sharing between G7 countries will ensure faster identification and disruption of these dangerous networks.

This approach will enhance the capabilities of the Border Security Command and its new Commander Martin Hewitt CBE QPM in coordinating investigations with international partners to reduce illegal migration into the UK.

Other measures announced in the plan include:

• sharing best practices, including disrupting supply chains that facilitate human trafficking, such as small boat parts, seizing illicit financial assets from criminals, and improving cooperation across global transportation routes
• cooperate with social media platforms and internet service providers to remove harmful content that promotes illegal migration services or advertises fake jobs
• strengthening capacities to monitor and anticipate irregular migration flows at both global and regional levels

The agreement comes after discussions by the Minister of the Interior at the G7 Home Affairs and Security Ministers meeting in Avellino, Italy, this week. It marks another step in rebuilding the UK’s relationship with key allies and reaffirms a shared commitment to working together to tackle complex cross-border issues.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Criminal smuggling gangs organizing small boat crossings are undermining our border security and putting lives at risk. Our new government is quickly accelerating cooperation with other countries to crack down on these dangerous gangs.

“The recently agreed G7 Action Plan places a key focus on international law enforcement and reflects our determination to work with global partners on these shared challenges. New international joint investigation teams will help coordinate cross-border action and will complement the actions we have already taken to establish the UK Border Security Command and support it with new funding.

“The plan will help increase both voluntary and forced returns of migrants to their countries of origin. It aims to provide migrants with more choices and improve the overall management of migration flows.”

Instrumental for implementing this plan in Britain is the new Border Security Command, led by Martin Hewitt CBE QPM, which will be armed with extensive powers and coordinate the work of law enforcement and intelligence services.

It will coordinate investigations with European counterparts and will benefit from a £75 million investment in advanced technology, additional officers and new covert capabilities.

In July, the government pledged a further £84 million to tackle the root causes of irregular migration. This funding will go to programs aimed at tackling the causes of migration at their source, reducing the need for dangerous and irregular travel.

Since taking office, the Home Secretary has stepped up efforts to work with international partners to address the challenges of irregular migration.

This included collaboration with United States Attorney General Merrick Garland, European Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson and Europol Executive Director Catherine De Bolle.

Britain will continue to focus on tackling migrant smuggling with the G7 under the Canadian presidency next year, and at the INTERPOL General Assembly in Glasgow next month.