site.btaBig Organized Criminal Group for Illegal Trafficking of Migrants Busted

Sofia, October 26 (BTA) - A large-scale operation is carried out on the territory of Bulgaria, Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Great Britain with the purpose of neutralizing an organized criminal group operating on the territory of the five countries and involved in illegal trafficking of nationals of Afghanistan and Pakistan to EU countries, the press office of the Prosecution Office said.

In March 2017 the five countries formed a joint investigation team with the participation of Eurojust and Europol. Their judicial authorities performed coordinated actions with the support of the two European organizations.

The group was involved in illegal transportation of migrants by cars which had secret compartments to hide the illegal aliens.

The investigation began back in 2016 in Great Britain and the Netherlands which found out that the group is also operational in the other three countries as well. In Bulgaria, the investigation began in early March 2017 by the Specialized Prosecution Office. Investigative activities have been performed on the territory of Sofia, Lovech and Vratsa. A total of 24 searches have been performed so far of which 17 with preliminary authorization by the Specialized Criminal Court and 7 - under the conditions of emergency. A total of 42 people have been detained so far. Seven people have been apprehended in Bulgaria based on European Arrest Warrants at the request of Belgium and France. Thirteen people have been arrested in Belgium and
22 - in Great Britain. The countries are also collecting evidence on suspected money laundering by the criminal group.