Europol Says Arrested 11 People In Operation Against Migrant Smugglers
Umer Jamshaid Published July 16, 2022 | 01:40 AM
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th July, 2022) The European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) said on Friday it apprehended 11 people in an international police operation against a crime ring smuggling migrants to the European Union through Belarus.
"A cross-border operation, coordinated by Europol and involving law enforcement authorities from Estonia, Germany, Lithuania, Poland and the UK, has led to the dismantling of an organised crime network smuggling migrants from Belarus into the EU," Europol said, adding that the operation led to 11 arrests � 10 in Poland and one in the UK based on a German warrant, including one high-value target in the UK.
During the operation, 28 locations in Germany, Lithuania and Poland were searched by law enforcement officers and 11 transfers were detected with 11 facilitators and 60 migrants. The operation also resulted in seizures of electronic equipment, documents, evidence of money transfers and cash, Europol said.
"The members of the criminal network were based in and acting from the countries across the smuggling route. Their tasks were divided hierarchically, with the majority of the individuals acting at different levels not knowing each other personally. The migrants paid between EUR 10 000 ($10,075) and EUR 13 000 ($13,098) for a full smuggling service from their country of origin, via Belarus, to Germany generating an estimated turnover of at least EUR 7 million ($7.05 million) for the criminal network," the statement said.
In recent years, the EU has been struggling with a migration crisis as people from Africa and the middle East, fleeing poverty and war, try to cross the Mediterranean and reach the continent. The influx of people helped create a burgeoning criminal industry dedicated to transporting migrants to Europe by illicit means.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Finance Minister rules out rupee devaluation in talks with IMF
National team determined for good performance against New Zealand: Babar Azam
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 18 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 18 April 2024
Saka and Odegaard start for Arsenal, Guerreiro in Bayern midfield
Qatar PM says re-evaluating Israel-Hamas mediation role
Govt spokesperson terms allegations of PTI's Marwat against Saudi Arabia 'heinou ..
Minister appreciate UAE’s support for Pakistan economic challenges
Manchester City v Real Madrid Champions League starting line-ups
MIGA's support Pakistan in attracting foreign investments: Federal Minister for ..
Walker returns to captain Man City for Real Madrid clash
Action taken against price list violations in Khanewal district
More Stories From World
-
China sees 141 mln cross-border travels in Q1
11 minutes ago -
Number of S. Korea's farming households falls below 1 mln for 1st time
11 minutes ago -
Zhang Ziyi leads starry cast in Peter Chan's 1940s Shanghai thriller
11 minutes ago -
New Zealand to double renewable energy capacity to reduce emissions
11 minutes ago -
Chinese yuan strengthens to 7.1020 against USD Thursday
11 minutes ago -
Self-harm hospitalization rates three times higher for Australian teenagers than adults: report
11 minutes ago
-
China's archaeological site parks register strong revenue growth
21 minutes ago -
Flood-related casualties soar to 70 in Afghanistan
21 minutes ago -
New Godzilla x Kong film stays atop Chinese box office
21 minutes ago -
Australian unemployment rate rises to 3.8 percent in March
21 minutes ago -
Toyota to recall over 130,000 Prius hybrid cars due to door glitch
21 minutes ago -
22 injured after truck carrying pilgrims crashes in Myanmar's Yangon
21 minutes ago