site.btaLaw Enforcers Dismantle Migrant Trafficking Ring

The General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime has dismantled a ring smuggling illegal migrants through the country, the Interior Ministry said. 

The operation was carried out on April 7, and three people were arrested - the leader and members of the organized crime group, and subsequently detained for up to 72 hours.

The criminal group had been operating since April 2022. Its leader was refused refugee status in Bulgaria, and resided without address registration in the capital Sofia. According to the investigators, he “secured” the illegal migrants, after which he redirected them to his accomplices - Bulgarian citizens, who carried out and controlled their illegal transportation through the country to the border with Serbia. The irregular migrants were transported mainly in small groups of three to five in hired taxi vehicles. The group also provided special services such as accommodation in Sofia and food.

Between January 1 and  February 28 this year, 1,543 people attempted to cross into Bulgaria, which is 63.4% less than in the same period of 2024 - 4,221 people. Of those who attempted to cross, 218 were detained by the Bulgarian authorities and 1,325 returned to the interior of neighbouring countries on their own. The data are from the latest report on the migration situation in the country prepared by the Ministry of Interior.