At the middle level are bosses in transit countries, especially Turkey and the Balkans, who organise safe houses, commission false documents, choose routes, pay bribes and hire local criminals as drivers, guides, lookouts and guards. Drugs, tobacco and arms are included in some shipments, as favours to other gangs. Fugitive mobsters sometimes use the routes. At the the lowest level are minor smugglers in transit and destination countries valued for their local knowledge. Paid per job, they are expected to maintain equipment, establish rapport with corrupt officials, monitor beaches, train and bus stations, and choose points of handover.
Few smugglers remain outside the system.
The days when we cut our own deals with passengers is over. Often waiting in the destination country are representatives of the origin country boss, who will detain the migrants until relatives pay the outstanding debt. Alternatively, the migrants might be put to work in sweatshops or as prostitutes. By such segmentation, specialisation and flexibility has human trafficking become the world's fastest growing criminal business. Employees know little, if anything, about their ultimate bosses.