Smuggler Numbers on the Rise in Baden-Württemberg: A Ministry of the Interior Concern
Signs of an uptick in smuggling foreigners into Baden-Württemberg have emerged this year. In comparison to 2021, the number of suspected smugglers has climbed between January and October, as revealed by the Ministry of the Interior in response to a query from the AfD within the state parliament. By October 2022, this figure had reached 184 (210 in 2021).
On a more positive note, the count of suspects accused of lethal or commercial human smuggling exhibited a likely reduction (22 in 2022, 48 in 2021).
As a prerequisite to launch a smuggling investigation, the scrutiny of suspects' mobile devices is essential. The length of this process varies, dominating by factors such as the device, blocking status, and volume of data.
Lately, the Police Union (GdP) voiced concerns related to impediments in analyzing suspects' cell phones. As per their report, numerous unread devices belong to smugglers - not due to legal inconveniences but rather due to insufficient personnel or technology resources. Andreas Roßkopf, the GdP chairperson for federal police and customs, suggested that such information could offer valuable insights into routes, strategies, and contacts.
Police Department Restrictions
As per enrichment insights:
- Lack of Sufficient Spyware: Advanced spyware, such as Pegasus, is essential for remote monitoring, and Germany's Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) has access to it, but under strict controls. However, this might not be enough to overcome constraints when it comes to people smugglers.
- Expertise Gap: Successful cell phone data extraction and interpretation require specialist skills, which might not always be available, leading to delays or incomplete analysis.
- Data Protection Regulations: Strict data protection regulations in Germany, such as those complying with EU privacy norms, might limit the scope of data collection and analysis, potentially affecting investigation outcomes.
- Resource Allocation: Insufficient resources, including funding and personnel, might not allow for a comprehensive analysis of all devices, thus impacting investigations and delaying border control efforts.
- Technological Obsolescence: Rapid technological advancement and encryption methods can render outdated analysis tools ineffective against newer security measures and data formats.
- Attribution Challenge: Complex attribution to specific individuals or organizations, coupled with advanced technologies, can make investigations difficult, complicating the identification and prosecution of people smugglers.
Police Unions Concerns
The German Police Union (DPolG) noted a positive effect of border controls on smuggler discovery, but raised concerns regarding inadequate technical capabilities and workforce. Ralf Kusterer, the DPolG regional leader, underlined the need for addressing such obstacles in other criminal domains, including child pornography cases.
Since May 2021, a centralized data extraction task force for Baden-Württemberg has functioned in Freiburg. Preliminary data was only collected as of May 2021, with 53 cell phones appraised between May 2021 and December 2021. The number of extracted devices increased to 57 in 2022, and as of November 25, 2023, 30 devices had been obtained.
