Belgian, German and Polish authorities, supported by Eurojust and Europol, have dismantled a criminal group suspected of smuggling up to 300 migrants into the European Union. During a joint operation in Belgium and Germany on 13 May, seven suspected members of the smuggling network were arrested. An operation earlier this month in Poland led to the arrest of 10 suspected members.
German investigations into the network began during a routine immigration check in September 2024. Irregularities in the driver’s documentation raised suspicions of attempted illegal entry. Evidence soon emerged that the driver had possibly already smuggled and dropped off illegal migrants that same day. Ongoing investigations revealed that the driver was part of a network responsible for smuggling up to 300 illegal migrants. Most of the members of the criminal group were based in Belgium and acted as a link between the suspects in Germany and a related criminal group in Poland, which was also smuggling migrants from Middle Eastern countries into the EU.
The network organised the illegal transport of up to 12 people at a time along the Balkan route. A legitimate Polish transport company was used to conceal their activities.
During three action days spread out over several months, 10 suspects were arrested in Belgium, Germany and Poland, and several criminal assets were seized.
Eurojust and Europol supported the cross-border investigation from the outset. Eurojust ensured that judicial authorities were able to exchange information and develop a joint judicial strategy. On the action days, Europol facilitated the deployment of investigators between the countries. In addition, Europol sent experts into the field to help national authorities cross-check operational information in real time against Europol’s databases.
The following authorities carried out the operations:
- Germany: Traunstein Public Prosecutor’s Office; Freilassing Federal Police Inspectorate Bundespolizeiinspektion Freilassing
- Belgium: Investigating judge of the Court of First Instance of West Flanders – PPO West Flanders- Federal Judicial Police West Flanders
- Poland: Silesian Subdivision of the Department for Organized Crime and Corruption of National Prosecutor’s Office in Katowice; Karpacki Border Guard Unit in Nowy Sącz; Voivodeship Police Headquarter in Katowice