Fourteen people of Nigerian nationality were arrested by the police in Malta in a joint operation with Europol, called “Joint Action Day”.

The action was taken against Nigerian organised crime across Europe between 7 and 9 December, the police said in a statement, releasing the information Friday.

The police said it coordinated its operation with the assistance of the Customs Depatrtment, the Detention Services and the Environmental Health Directorate. The arrests were made in Marsa, Hamrun and St Julian’s the police said, without giving any more personal details about the arrested persons.

The 14 were detained in connection with illegal migration, while three owners of African food establishments will be arraigned on charges of breaching public health regulations. The police seized documentation, illegal food and drug-related paraphernalia.

The police operation included the participation of various sections of the corps, including the immigration and drug squads, as well as the Rapid Intervention Unit, and district and community police.

Apart from Malta, similar operations were carried out in Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Spain and Sweden (EU members) and also in the United States, Iceland, Colombia, Nigeria and Benin.

The agencies involved were Europol, Interpol Frontex, UNODC, CrimJust, UK Home Office International Operation in Nigeria and the @ON Network.