The investigation into the migrant smuggling network, led by JUNALCO in France, began after the deaths of six migrants trying to cross the English Channel illegally. That night, the group tried to smuggle 67 migrants to the United Kingdom in dangerous boats. As a result of an accident with one of the boats, six migrants lost their lives. Witnesses on the boat rescued by the French authorities identified one of the boat's pilots, who was later arrested. Another individual, who was present at a migrant camp in Calais, was identified by witnesses as the organiser of the transports. He and his associate were also arrested. 

International judicial cooperation, coordinated by Eurojust, was set up to execute European Arrest Warrants for three suspects in Greece, Poland and Germany. One of the suspects was known to have been smuggling migrants since 2009. The Italian authorities also began investigating the Italian arm of the organisation, sharing their findings with their French counterparts during a meeting at the Agency. As some of the witnesses from the boats were rescued and brought to safety in the United Kingdom, Eurojust ensured that a Mutual Legal Assistance request was sent to the UK authorities to obtain the witness statements for use in the French investigation. 

The successful judicial cooperation resulted in the arrest of eight individuals between August 2023 and March 2025. Seven of the suspects have now been sentenced by the Paris Tribunal. They received prison sentences ranging from 3 to 15 years and fines ranging from EUR 50 000 to EUR 200 000. They have appealed the decision.

Migrant smuggling often disregards human life in the pursuit of profit. Smuggling networks frequently exploit migrants’ vulnerability, which often leads to violence, abuse, exploitation and loss of life. Eurojust deals with around 400 migrant smuggling cases per year. Cooperation with countries outside the EU is vital to take down the often multinational criminal groups involved. The Agency takes action not only against migrant smugglers but also targets their supply chains. Recently, it has targeted suppliers of boats and other equipment used to smuggle migrants. Eurojust has observed a growing importance of digital evidence in migrant smuggling cases. Criminal groups are increasingly using online platforms, social media and encrypted telephones to offer their illicit services.