An investigation coordinated by Europol has led to the dismantlement of a migrant smuggling network active across the Balkan route, stated the European police agency on July 16. Serbian and Bulgarian authorities carried out a series of raids on Thursday, leading to five arrests of suspected smugglers.
The criminal network allegedly smuggled a "large number of migrants between January and July 2026 through Bulgaria, Serbia and on to Western Europe," stated Europol in a press release published on July 16.
Out of the five arrests, one was described as a "high value target," two were described as "police officers" and two as "associates." All are suspected of being involved in a migrant smuggling gang.
Bulgarian and Serbian authorities also searched five different locations and seized three vehicles, which they believe were used for migrant smuggling activities, firearms, ammunition, a radio station, mobile devices and cash to the tune of about 5,700 euros.
The press release also included a video of the operation.
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Costs estimated at 1,300 euros per person
According to the Europol investigation, the gang is thought to have charged around 1,300 euros per person to smuggle migrants from Turkey, via Bulgaria and Serbia and on into Western Europe.
Core members of the gang are described as Serbian nationals, based in Pirot, Serbia, and the network was allegedly involved in smuggling large groups of Afghan nationals. According to Europol, migrants would typically arrive from Turkey, were transported through Bulgaria by the gang and then dropped off near the Bulgarian-Serbian green border.
At that border, migrants would be given a GPS coordinate and expected to cross independently, before being picked up on the Serbian side by members of the alleged gang. The network, states Europol, also provided temporary accommodation and arranged onward transportation across Serbia.
It is understood that migrants paid around 1,000 euros from the Bulgarian-Serbian border to Belgrade and then about 300 euros from Belgrade to the Serbian-Hungarian border. Most payments were made via the Hawala money transfer system.
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Europol steps up its fight against migrant smuggling
Europol organized and coordinated the investigations and exchange of data between Bulgaria and Serbia. They also paid for the deployment of four Bulgarian investigators in Serbia.
The police organization recently set up a new center to reinforce its support against migrant smuggling across the continent.
"Migrant smuggling remains a key criminal threat for the EU, requiring coordinated action across the entire criminal chain -- from recruitment and transit, to the financial flows that sustain it. Europol supports investigations through a data-driven approach, enhancing cases provided by national authorities with operational analysis and expertise. Europol also facilitates information exchange and coordinates joint operations to disrupt criminal networks."
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