International Cooperation to Counter Migrant Smuggling and Human Trafficking Through Special Investigative Techniques. Challenges in the implementation of the International Framework Regulating Undercover Operations in the Italian Legal System

The adoption of international coordination measures to spread the use of 'special investigative techniques' to combat organised crime effectively is encouraged by Article 20 of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime. After a reconstruction of general characteristics of an evolving legal tool such as ‘undercover operations’ involving, or taking place in more than one State, the paper examines the Italian legal framework, as amended by a new law passed in 2019, and it seeks to establish whether and to what extent Italy is complying with its international commitments in this field