Operational support to human trafficking cases

Eurojust continued to assist national authorities with more than 300 human trafficking cases in 2023. Around one third of the total number of cases handled represent new cases referred to the Agency in 2023.

Romania opened the highest number of trafficking in human beings cases at the Agency during 2023, followed by France and Spain. Italy and Romania are the European countries that were most requested to participate in Eurojust’s cross-border migrant smuggling cases in 2023, while the United Kingdom was the most requested third country to contribute to international investigations in this area.

As in 2022, the number of overall cases and JITs dedicated to this crime area once again decreased. This may reflect the low number of prosecutions and convictions for human trafficking at the national level, due to the complex nature of judicial cooperation in this area.

Eurojust actively encourages national authorities to refer more cases to the Agency to identify or trigger parallel criminal proceedings in the European Union and beyond. Eurojust can assist with the coordination of such proceedings, the establishment of JITs, the successful prosecution of traffickers and the protection of victims.

The importance of digital evidence and financial investigations in human trafficking cases

Digital evidence and financial investigations were the central topics discussed at the second meeting of the Focus Group of prosecutors specialised in human trafficking in June 2023. The establishment of the Focus Group in 2021 was a key action of the EU Strategy on Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings (2021-2025). The meeting focused on best practices based on investigations and prosecutions of complex human trafficking offences. The EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator underlined the need for a robust, coordinated criminal justice response to effectively tackle human trafficking cases.

Participants discussed the internet as an enabler of human trafficking and the importance of financial investigations for successful prosecutions and convictions. In approximately 95% of human trafficking cases, prosecutors identify the internet or social media as facilitators of human trafficking. The shift of human trafficking into the digital space necessitates regular monitoring of the internet and social media in all Member States. However, this poses challenges in terms of the large volume of data, the lack of time, technical equipment and specialist knowledge.

Human trafficking is a crime mainly driven by the financial benefits for the perpetrators. Prosecutors agree that human trafficking investigations should therefore cover the financial aspects, not only to allow for the confiscation of assets and compensation of victims, but also to serve as evidence of the exploitation and to help dismantle the criminal network.

  The fight against human trafficking has long been a high priority at the EU level. It requires very close cooperation and coordination across jurisdictions between key actors, including at the law enforcement and judicial levels. Only through joint efforts, can we successfully investigate, prosecute and convict traffickers as well as identify, assist and support victims. I value the close cooperation with the EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator in supporting the networking of prosecutors specialised in this area.  

European Parliament and Council agree on stronger rules to fight human trafficking

During 2023, the European Parliament and the Council reviewed the European Commission’s proposed amendments to the Directive on preventing and combatting trafficking in human beings and protecting victims. In January 2024, they reached a political agreement on the proposed rules that will provide law enforcement and judicial authorities with stronger tools to investigate and prosecute new forms of exploitation, including those taking place online. The new legislation will also make it mandatory in all Member States to punish those who knowingly use services provided by victims of trafficking.

Eurojust contributed to the evaluation of the Directive based on the expertise gained through its casework. The Agency welcomes the expanded scope of the EU’s Anti-trafficking Directive, which will now include forced marriage, illegal adoption, exploitation of surrogacy and better support for victims. Based on its operational experience and strategic input, Eurojust contributed to the EU legislator’s decision to explicitly mention surrogacy in the Directive, as a potential type of exploitation, falling within the scope of the definition of human trafficking.

The Directive is expected to be formally adopted by the European Parliament and the Council in 2024. The new rules will come into force 20 days after their publication in the EU Official Journal, and Member States will have 2 years to implement the provisions.

Action against criminal network dealing with human trafficking, pimping and money laundering

Since 2017 – An organised crime group (OCG) recruits young Romanian women, some of them minors, and transports them to the United Kingdom and Ireland where they are sexually exploited. The prostitution service is advertised on dedicated escort websites and takes place in rented apartments in various cities. It generates large sums of money that are laundered through banks and other money transfer services to conceal their illicit origin.

December 2021 – The case is opened at Eurojust at the request of the Romanian authorities.

January 2022 – November 2023 – Four coordination meetings are hosted by the Agency to facilitate judicial cooperation and provide support for the coordinated investigative efforts.

May 2022 – A joint investigation team is set up between the Romanian, Irish and UK authorities, supported and funded by Eurojust.

April 2023 – During a joint action day on 19 April 2023, 12 suspects are charged in Romania, five of them are detained and four are put under judicial control. 19 house searches are carried out, 17 in Romania and 2 in Ireland. During the house searches, laptops, mobile phones and cards are seized. Six real estate properties, six premium and luxury vehicles and over EUR 22 500 in cash are frozen. With the support of Eurojust, judicial and law enforcement authorities in Romania, Ireland and the United Kingdom successfully dismantle the criminal network.

September 2023 – The Romanian authorities issue an indictment for setting up an OCG, trafficking in human beings, pimping and money laundering against 10 defendants (6 of whom are arrested and 4 of whom are under judicial control).

November 2023 – Eurojust hosts a coordination meeting dedicated to evaluating the JIT, and presenting the successful results including the reintegration of victims. Thanks to international judicial cooperation, victims are saved and provided safe shelter, as well as financial support.

Human trafficking network dismantled in the United Kingdom and Bulgaria

November 2021 – The investigation into a human trafficking network begins in the United Kingdom (UK). The suspects approach vulnerable Bulgarian women and transport them to the UK, where they are forced to engage in prostitution and drug dealing in London and the surrounding area. The proceeds of the criminal activities are laundered through businesses and assets in the UK and Bulgaria.

January 2022 – The case is opened at Eurojust at the request of the UK authorities.

June 2022 – A joint investigation team is set up between the UK and Bulgarian authorities, supported and funded by Eurojust.

January – March 2023 – Two coordination meetings on 9 January 2023 and 7 March 2023 are hosted by the Agency to facilitate judicial cooperation and to prepare for the joint action day. Key issues are addressed, including the scope of the prosecution and jurisdiction. An agreement is reached that jurisdiction to prosecute all persons will be exercised in the United Kingdom.

April 2023 – During the joint action day on 26 April, nine suspects are arrested. Eight house searches are carried out, four in each country. Assets worth over EUR 1.1 million are seized, including cash, high-value vehicles and property. Five victims are identified and brought to safety.

October 2023 – JUSTICE DONE: The case is brought to trial at Southwark Crown Court and four defendants are given sentences ranging from six months custody to more than five years imprisonment.