Among those detained are the five Romanian leaders of the group, who are believed to have been responsible for the logistics and management of the criminal activities. The other suspects were criminal associates in charge of recruiting drivers or accommodating migrants in so-called safe houses, two of which were found in Italy. The criminal group is suspected of having been involved in over 30 smuggling incidents since January 2023, illegally transporting at least 726 migrants across European borders.Results of the action day include:19 suspects detained and presented before public prosecutor’s offices to press charges1 modified van with special compartment for smuggling migrants seized4 vehicles, an all-terrain vehicle, and a motorcycle seized52 mobile phones, 2 laptops and a tablet seizedaround EUR 15 000 in various currencies seizedRomania to Italy for up to EUR 3 000Offering and organising their trips on messenger apps, the criminals would offer to clandestinely take migrants, many of which had a temporary work visa in Romania, from Romania over Hungary and Slovenia to Italy. The Bangladeshi, Indian, Nepali or Pakistani nationals making use of this illicit service paid between EUR 2 500 and EUR 3 000 for the journey. Facing life-threatening conditions, the migrants were often hidden in specially designed compartments – such as double walls – in the cargo space of vans or lorries.Throughout the journey, the criminals deployed additional vehicles as forerunners to accompany the transports and keep a watch out for law enforcement presence. Most of the vehicles used by the suspects were registered under legal businesses such as transport companies. The criminals organised the trips via interconnected cells, each recruiting drivers for individual parts of the journey.Europol’s contributionEuropol facilitated the exchange of information between the involved countries and provided operational coordination as well as analytical support. Intelligence on this case was also provided by Europol guest officers deployed in Galati, Romania. On the action day, a Europol analyst with a mobile office was deployed to cross-check information on the spot.Participating countries:Hungary: Hungarian National Bureau of Investigation – Unit against Illegal Migration (Nemzeti Nyomozó Iroda – Illegális Migráció elleni Osztály)Italy: Italian State Police – Central Operational Service (Polizia di Stato – Servizio Centrale Operativo (SCO)); Italian Border Police of Gorizia (Polizia di Stato – Settore Polizia di Frontiera di Gorizia); Italian Border Police of Gorizia (Polizia di Stato – Settore Polizia di Frontiera di Udine)Romania: Romanian Police – General Directorate for Countering Organised Crime (Poliţiei Române – Direcția de Combatere a Criminalității Organisate (DCCO)); Romanian Border Police – Directorate for Prevention and Countering of Transborder Crime and Illegal Immigration (Poliția de Frontieră - Direcția de Prevenire și Combatere a Migrației Ilegale și Infracționalității Transfrontaliere)Slovenia: Slovenian National Police (Policija)The list of authorities was updated on 4 September 2024 at 10:20 CET.

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