Interpol says more than 260 people were arrested after police from multiple countries targeted suspected migrant smuggling networks linking Africa and Europe. The four-day operation, called Communis Maris, ran from October 5 to October 8 and led to 221 arrests of suspected migrant smugglers and 16 arrests of alleged human traffickers, Interpol said. Police also detained 25 people on accusations of other offences, including forging and using fraudulent documents. Interpol said the crackdown uncovered 41 criminal organisations and triggered more than 430 investigations. The operation was coordinated from Athens and funded by the European Union. Officers from 16 countries across west and north Africa, Europe and the Middle East took part. In total, 7,660 officers were involved, Interpol added. The investigation also centred on dangerous sea journeys. Interpol cited a vessel off the coast of Morocco that had been at sea for six days carrying 70 people, including 30 minors. It also referenced a wooden pirogue that left Senegal and was intercepted off Mauritania with 80 passengers. Checks at airports in Cyprus and Greece also resulted in arrests of migrants carrying forged identity documents, Interpol said. Arrested suspects were brought into the operation’s national case processes, while Interpol said investigations were continuing following the coordinated crackdown.