BRITAIN and Italy are launching a crack team using Mafia-busting tactics to seize cash from people smuggling gangs.
A new force will start chasing down the dirty money of international criminals from January next year.
Top cops will deploy a “follow the money” approach to wreak havoc on the smugglers’ finances.
The two countries will share intelligence, carry out joint operations, freeze criminal bank accounts and drive more prosecutions of smugglers.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized the government’s determination to tackle international people smuggling gangs profiting from risky small boat crossings. Cooper highlighted the dangers posed to thousands of lives due to this illicit activity. The UK government’s stance is to crack down on such criminals and prevent the serious risks associated with their operations.
Italy’s success in combatting high-level criminals and dismantling mafia-style gangs has positioned the country as a global leader in such efforts. This makes Italy a valuable and capable partner for the UK in the fight against organized crime and smuggling operations. Both countries are committed to working together to address these significant challenges and enhance international security.
“Our new joint taskforce with our Italian counterparts sends a clear message to the criminal people smuggling gangs: We are coming for your money.”
It comes after Keir Starmer lavished praise on hard-line Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for her immigration clampdown.
The squad will also investigate informal banking systems like hawala which can be used by gangs to anonymously transfer and launder dodgy cash.
A plan is also underway to toughen up laws domestically and internationally so police can more easily seize profits made by criminal gangs.
And they hope to work with banks to ensure criminal gangs cannot launder their dodgy money through the UK’s financial system.
Small boat arrivals hit a winter record on Thursday when 609 migrants made the crossing on a single day.
