On April 8, 2025, Italian police executed a large-scale operation against a migrant trafficking network that spanned across several countries, resulting in the arrest of 15 suspects, primarily of Egyptian nationality. The operation, which took place in the provinces of Cosenza, Catania, and Catanzaro, as well as in Albania, Germany, Oman, and Turkey, was aimed at dismantling a criminal organization accused of facilitating the illegal entry of migrants into Europe.
The arrests were made following an order from the Court of Catania, which authorized the precautionary detention of these individuals on charges related to criminal association for the purpose of migrant trafficking and aiding illegal immigration. This extensive investigation, dubbed "Operation El Rais," was coordinated by the District Anti-Mafia Directorate and involved collaboration with international agencies such as Interpol and Europol.
According to police reports, the organization was led by Assad Ali Gomaa Khodit, also known as Abu Sufyen, who was apprehended in Turkey. He is believed to be a significant figure in the trafficking of migrants from Asia Minor to Europe. The operation uncovered a complex network that had been actively smuggling migrants from Egypt, through Turkey, and into Greece and Italy.
The investigation began in May 2022 after the arrest of three individuals at the Commercial Port of Augusta in Sicily, who were suspected of being the skippers of a vessel carrying illegal migrants from Turkey. This initial arrest prompted authorities to monitor illegal migration routes and intercept communications, which led to the identification of a broader network that had facilitated the entry of thousands of migrants into Italy.
The criminal organization employed a sophisticated system that involved recruiting professional skippers, primarily from Egypt, and managing migrants on Turkish soil while they awaited their perilous journey. The migrants were often transported in sailing vessels measuring around 12 to 15 meters, which were in fair condition but lacked essential life-saving equipment. The treacherous journey typically began from coastal cities like Bodrum, Izmir, and Marmaris, and could last up to a week.
Migrants seeking passage were reportedly charged exorbitant fees, often around $10,000 per person, which represented their life savings. The investigation traced over 30 migratory events since 2021, leading to the arrival of thousands of migrants on the Sicilian and Calabrian coasts, as well as numerous landings along the Greek shores. It is estimated that the organization has facilitated the clandestine entry of at least 3,000 individuals into Italy during this period, generating profits exceeding $30 million.
In a separate but related incident, the NGO Mediterranea Saving Humans reported that its crew aboard the sailing boat Safira rescued 28 migrants off the coast of Lampedusa on April 7, 2025. The crew discovered the migrants in distress while monitoring the area. They had left Sabratha on the Libyan coast 52 hours prior to their rescue and included 12 unaccompanied minors among their ranks.
The rescue operation occurred in international waters, approximately 35 miles southwest of the Pelagic Islands. The crew attempted to contact Maltese authorities for assistance but reported that their calls went unanswered initially. Following a fire on the migrants' vessel, the Safira crew evacuated the individuals and provided them with life vests.
Tragically, during the operation, the crew also sighted a corpse in the water but was unable to recover it. The deceased was described as a young Black man, estimated to be between 15 and 25 years old. The crew noted debris from a shipwreck earlier that day, indicating the ongoing dangers faced by those attempting to cross the Mediterranean.
Over the weekend, approximately 600 migrants arrived on Lampedusa from about 30 different operations on Saturday, April 5, 2025, and around 830 people arrived on Sunday, April 6, 2025. The situation highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean, where migrants continue to risk their lives in search of safety and a better future.
The joint efforts of Italian authorities and international police forces in dismantling the trafficking network represent a significant step in addressing the ongoing challenges posed by illegal immigration and human trafficking across Europe. The recent arrests and investigations shed light on the complexities of these criminal operations and the dire circumstances faced by migrants attempting to reach European shores.
As the Mediterranean Sea remains a focal point for migrant crossings, these events underscore the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address both the humanitarian aspects and the criminal elements of this ongoing crisis. The collaboration between law enforcement agencies across nations is vital in combating human trafficking and ensuring the safety of vulnerable populations.
With the ongoing operations and investigations, authorities aim to continue their efforts to disrupt and dismantle such criminal organizations, while also providing support and assistance to those who have survived the harrowing journeys across the sea.
