Migrant Smuggling Data and Research

nationals of UNSC resolution 1244-administered Kosovo. 23 In the
course of 2015, this route became particularly popular among
Syrian, Iraqi and Afghan irregular migrants and asylum seekers
(Frontex, 2016f).
• A second key trajectory crosses from Greece to south Italy,
through the ports of Patra, Igoumenitsa and Corfu. This
secondary movement typically constitutes the first leg of a longer
journey towards Western European countries starting from Italy
(Triandafyllidou and Maroukis, 2012).
• Another important trajectory from Southern to Western Europe
departs from Italy, goes mostly through Milan and from there
continues to Northern Europe via Switzerland, Austria and Germany,
one of the top destination countries. Other migrants continue their
journey from Germany onwards to the French Channel ports and
the United Kingdom; or via France, Czech Republic and Germany
to the United Kingdom. A small number appears to continue their
journey from the United Kingdom to North America or Canada
(Europol, 2011, 2012 and 2013; Kuschminder, de Bresser and
Siegel, 2015). More specific paths, as is the case in the context of
smuggling into Europe where the trip between Ayvalik and the
south and north shore of Lesvos accounted, for instance, for most
irregular border crossings in 2015, are not discernible from the
available data.
Even though Frontex reports that irregular migrants rely heavily on
facilitators for their entry into the European continent, the same does not
apply for intra-European movements. Many migrants continue their journey
with their own means, via buses, railway lines or with the support of family
and friends, often taking advantage of migration regimes. Among those who
resort to smugglers, there is again further divergence as some rely on smugglers
throughout their journey and others for specific legs of their itinerary. The precise
extent in which smugglers are involved in irregular movement varies significantly,
making it difficult to draw accurate estimates. According to the national statistics
of Germany, for instance, between 2010 and 2014, a total of 154,282 migrants
entered the country unlawfully, but the total number of smuggled migrants was
31,816 (Federal Criminal Police Office of Germany (BKA), 2014).
23
Hereinafter referred to as Kosovo/UNSC 1244.
110
5. Europe