Experts say EU plan to combat human traffickers is dangerous, costly and tough to implement

BRUSSELS – Experts say the European Union's plan to disrupt the business of human traffickers and destroy their boats in the Mediterranean is a short-term, dissuasive measure that is likely to be dangerous, costly, and tough to implement.

Faced with a rising death toll in the Mediterranean, the EU wants to launch a military operation to "destroy the business model" of the smugglers next month to coincide with the migrant high season. It will progressively include surveillance of routes, search and boarding of ships and possible destruction of boats.

However, experts on Tuesday voiced concerned that it might just be a mediatized gesture to show that the EU is acting to stop these perilous sea voyages and said they have doubts about the real impact it will have on the smugglers.