An international operation, spearheaded by Europol’s operational group, has resulted in the dismantling of an organized criminal network involved in migrant smuggling along the Balkan route. Authorities in Serbia, working in coordination with Bulgarian law enforcement agencies, apprehended five individuals during the operation. The arrests included the alleged leader of the group and two active police officers.
The criminal operation, which was based in Pirot, Serbia, is suspected of transporting a minimum of 201 migrants, predominantly nationals of Afghanistan. The smuggling route allegedly moved individuals from Turkey through Bulgaria and Serbia with the ultimate destination being Western European countries. The period covered by the illicit activities spanned from January to October 2026.
During the execution of the investigation, authorities seized significant materials. These included three vehicles reportedly used for transporting migrants, various firearms, ammunition, radios, and mobile phones. Furthermore, law enforcement recovered approximately 5,700 euros and 40,000 Serbian dinars.
The findings indicate a sophisticated cross-border operation that utilized local complicity to facilitate the movement of people across international borders. The coordinated effort highlights international cooperation in combating transnational organized crime.
Topics: #group #smuggling #network
