In brief
Bulgaria’s Border Police detained 19 members of a migrant smuggling network that used hidden compartments in trucks to ferry illegal entrants to the country and then transport them to Western Europe. Four of those arrested, three Syrians and a Bulgarian, were charged and held for up to 72 hours. The mastermind, located abroad, was charged in absentia. The investigation continues as officials review evidence and vessel logs.
Bulgaria’s Border Police Directorate General (BPDG) detained 19 members of a criminal network that facilitated the illegal entry of migrants into the country and their onward transport to Western Europe.
The arrests, made on Tuesday, are part of a BPDG investigation supervised by the Sofia City Prosecution Office, the BPDG said on Wednesday.
Five addresses and two vehicles were searched, and witnesses were questioned. The police report on the materials gathered was submitted to the supervising prosecutor.
Charges were pressed against four of the detainees – three Syrians and one Bulgarian – who are remanded in custody for up to 72 hours. The network has been operating since March, using specially constructed concealed compartments in trucks, arranging accommodation in rented properties in Sofia, and subsequently moving migrants to Western European countries in hidden compartments in cars and trucks.
According to the BPDG, one of the Syrian nationals, identified as a mastermind of the criminal ring, was charged in absentia, as he is believed to be hiding outside Bulgaria. The investigation remains ongoing, with officials continuing to gather evidence and assess the extent of the network’s operations.
