On 2 September 2024, across Romania, law enforcement executed 40 search warrants and intercepted 19 members of a criminal network engaged in migrant smuggling. Europol supported this operation, which is the result of a common investigation between Hungarian, Italian, Romanian and Slovenian authorities.
The criminals concealed the migrants among merchandise or squeezed them into compartments in modified vehicles, displaying the utmost disregard for their safety and well-being.
Among those detained are the five Romanian leaders of the group, who are believed to have been responsible for the logistics and management of the criminal activities. The other suspects were criminal associates in charge of recruiting drivers or accommodating migrants in so-called safe houses, two of which were found in Italy. The criminal group is suspected of having been involved in over 30 smuggling incidents since January 2023, illegally transporting at least 726 migrants across European borders.
Offering and organising their trips on messenger apps, the criminals would offer to clandestinely take migrants, many of which had a temporary work visa in Romania, from Romania over Hungary and Slovenia to Italy. The Bangladeshi, Indian, Nepali or Pakistani nationals making use of this illicit service paid between EUR 2 500 and EUR 3 000 for the journey. Facing life-threatening conditions, the migrants were often hidden in specially designed compartments – such as double walls – in the cargo space of vans or lorries.
Throughout the journey, the criminals deployed additional vehicles as forerunners to accompany the transports and watch for law enforcement presence. Most of the vehicles used by the suspects were registered under legal businesses such as transport companies. The criminals organised the trips via interconnected cells, each recruiting drivers for individual parts of the journey.
Europol facilitated the exchange of information between the involved countries and provided operational coordination and analytical support. Europol guest officers deployed in Galati, Romania, also provided intelligence on this case. On the action day, a Europol analyst with a mobile office was deployed to cross-check information on the spot.
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