People smuggling

Suspected people smuggler extradited to Italy

An Eritrean man suspected as a key smuggler of people from Africa to Europe has been arrested in Sudan and extradited to Italy, British officials said Wednesday.

Known as "The General," Mered Medhanie, 35, was one of the world's most-wanted people smugglers and suspected of being central to the mass movement of migrants between the continents.

He arrived Tuesday night in Rome and is expected to appear before a judge Wednesday, Britain's National Crime Agency said.

Countries form the European Union have struggled to prevent thousands of deaths in the Mediterranean Sea as migrants arrive on their shores in overcrowded, unsafe vessels from the North African and Turkish coasts.

European law enforcement officers are focusing on bringing to court people smugglers who take money from migrants to organize the perilous journeys.