14 people were arrested by the Maltese Police, in an operation carried out as part of the ‘Joint Action Day’, coordinated by Europol, against Nigerian organized crime across the Europe.
The Maltese Police worked with several local entities, including the Customs Department, the Detention Services and the Directorate of Environmental Health, with inspections and enforcement carried out in Marsa, Hamrun and St Julians.
The 14 people were arrested in connection with illegal immigration, while three owners of African food establishments will be brought to Court for breaching public health regulations. Officers seized several documents and banned foods, as well as items related to drugs.
Several Police squads took part in this action including Immigration, Anti- Drug, of Anti-Addiction, of the Rapid Intervention Unit, of Dogs, as well as of the District and those for the Community. The countries in which the operation was carried out over three days, between 7 and 9 December included Member States of the European Union: Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Malta, Spain and Sweden as well as other countries that included the United States, Iceland, Colombia, Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.
Agencies involved in the operation included Europol, Interpol, Frontex, UNODC, CrimJust, UK Home Office International Operation in Nigeria and @ON Network.
