People smuggling
People smuggling is a term which is used to describe the illegal and organised smuggling of people across international boundaries, usually for financial gain. Interpol in a recent communication described people smuggling as follows:
- People smuggling has become the preferred trade of a growing number of criminal networks world-wide which are showing an increasing sophistication in regard to move larger numbers of people at higher profits than ever.
People smugglers are often used by refugees fleeing persecution in desperate circumstances.