Between 13 and 18 November 2023, law enforcement authorities across Europe joined forces to target firearms trafficking, drug trafficking, migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings, and high-risk criminal networks during coordinated EMPACT Joint Action Days South East Europe (EMPACT JAD SEE). In total, 26 countries across Europe, supported by Europol, Eurojust, Frontex, INTERPOL and a number of international structures*, took part in these large-scale coordinated operational activities.
The EMPACT Joint Action Days were planned based on an intelligence-led approach which saw police, customs, immigration agencies and border control agencies join forces. Spain coordinated the operational activities, while Europol coordinated the exchange of operational information between the parties involved.
The EMPACT Joint Action Days included intensified checks at the EU’s external borders and special operations in the countries involved. Police, gendarmerie, border guards, customs authorities and national units involved in combating organised crime across Europe cooperated in these EMPACT Joint Action Days. The intelligence-led approach and cross-border operational coordination involved joint efforts by more than 22 000 officers from the participating authorities. The operation was coordinated from an international coordination centre set up in Skopje, North Macedonia, where officers representing these authorities were present to facilitate international cooperation and respond to operational needs on the ground.
The information exchange led to the opening of 121 new cases against criminal networks. Europol coordinated the exchange of operational information during the EMPACT Joint Action Days and supported the operational coordination. Europol also deployed experts on the ground to provide real-time analytical support to field operatives. The Netherlands deployed two teams with special scanning equipment to border crossing points in Greece and Montenegro. Frontex deployed experts and equipment to the external borders.
