Law enforcement authorities from Bulgaria, Greece and Romania, working under the coordination of the Southeast European Law Enforcement Center (SELEC) and with the support of Europol, successfully concluded a joint international investigation that resulted in the dismantling of a major migrant smuggling network operating in Northern Greece.
The coordinated investigation led to the arrest of several suspects involved in organizing and facilitating the illegal transportation of migrants, predominantly Egyptian nationals, along the Eastern Mediterranean/Balkan route, transiting through Türkiye, Greece, Bulgaria and Romania before reaching Western Europe.
According to the findings of the investigation, the criminal network arranged the unlawful movement of migrants using a well-established logistical and operational structure.
The investigation established that the criminal organization carried out at least twelve (12) migrant smuggling operations since February 2026. For each migrant transported, the network charged between €2,000 and €6,500, generating an estimated illicit profit of more than €300,000.
As part of the joint operation, the authorities carried out coordinated searches at multiple locations and seized vehicles, communication devices, documents, and other evidence linked to the group’s criminal activities. The members of the organized criminal group were mainly Syrian and Egyptian nationals.
Criminal proceedings are still ongoing in this case.
