With the aim of disrupting migrant smuggling networks, both inside and outside the EU, the Council approved a set of measures with a law enforcement focus on 6 December 2018. These new measures shall enhance the inter-agency approach, both at EU and national levels, make the best use of synergies among the operational tools available, and maximise the use of the external assets of the EU.

Hence, the operational and analytical capacities of the European Migrant Smuggling Center (EMSC) at Europol shall be increased and a stronger link between frontline information and information analysis capacities established. Furthermore, a joint liaison task force on migrant smuggling shall be set up within the EMSC. In order to better disrupt online communications, Europol’s EU Internet Referral Unit shall be strengthened.