Police and Security, Vol. 34 No. 2, 2025.
Review article
https://doi.org/10.59245/ps.34.2.6
Smuggling of People – A Powerful Aspect of International Organised Crime
Filip Dragović
; Institute for Security Policies, Zagreb, Republic of Croatia.
Abstract
In the modern global context, smuggling of people and illegal migration represent a serious challenge for both the international community and the national level, threatening the security, human rights and stability of societies around the world. Today, migration is often motivated by economic reasons, political instability, conflicts, or natural disasters in the countries of origin. Given the absence of legal possibilities, many migrants pay organised criminal groups to reach the countries of destination. Statistical indicators point to an increase in criminal offences of human trafficking, as well as to the increased efforts of vulnerable countries in combating this phenomenon. The smuggling of persons today represents a dangerous criminal activity of transferring persons across state borders, with the aim of achieving financial gain or mistreatment and abuse of migrants. Criminal networks and smugglers offer transport and crossing of the borders to individuals who do not have access to legal migration routes and often exploit the vulnerability of migrants, promising them safe passage and a better life while actually exposing these people to danger, exploitation and abuse.
Keywords
smuggling of people; illegal migration; migration; security
Hrčak ID:
331975
URI
Publication date:
18.7.2025.
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