26 held in Europe-wide people smuggling probe

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON

At least 26 people have been arrested in Europe, as part of a continent-wide investigation into suspected people smuggling, Europol said on Thursday.

“Europol and Eurojust today supported... investigators and judicial authorities from five different EU Member States (Belgium, Bulgaria, France, the Netherlands and the UK), in dismantling a migrant smuggling network operating across Europe,” the statement by Europol said.

Headquartered in The Hague, the Netherlands, Europol assists the EU member states in their fight against serious international crimes and terrorism.

British police have arrested 11 individuals in London, Birmingham and Gateshead. Eight others were arrested in Belgium, while seven more in Bulgaria.

The arrested individuals are suspected of being part of the network that was facilitating unlawful immigration from countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan, into the European Union and in breach of immigration law, according to Europol.

“Authorities estimate that more than 48 illegal journeys since June 2016 have already taken place, allowing around 400 migrants to gain illegal entry into Europe via this organized crime group, it added.