Alfano pledges to help Germany curb migrant trafficking

(ANSA) - Berlin, September 2 - Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said Tuesday that Italy will do everything in its power to curb illegal migrant trafficking across its borders with Germany.
    "We are ready to participate in joint actions to alleviate and put an end to the phenomenon," Alfano told reporters after meeting with his German counterpart, Thomas de Maiziere.
    His comments came after news that German authorities have arrested dozens of Italian taxi drivers on charges of aiding and abetting illegal immigration for driving Syrian refugees across the border into Germany.
    The refugees were well-dressed paying customers, and drivers-for-hire are not obligated to know their clients' immigration status, a taxi cooperative spokesman said Tuesday.