Europol coordinated a series of operations in September targeting migrant smuggling, drug trafficking and law enforcement innovation, culminating in arrests and awards announced this week.

On 22 September, a Europol-supported action day across Austria, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom dismantled a migrant smuggling network, resulting in six arrests, 10 house searches and seizures of ID documents, electronic equipment, evidence and cash . The investigation involved authorities from 17 countries and uncovered links to document fraud and money laundering.

Separately, Europol announced the winners of its 2026 Excellence Awards in Innovation at the European Police Chiefs Convention on 29 September. Law enforcement teams from Spain, Denmark and the Netherlands received recognition for projects advancing investigative and operational capabilities . The convention, opened by Europol Acting Executive Director Jürgen Ebner, addressed evolving security threats, with Ebner noting that organized crime has become "digital by default" .