The competent law enforcement authorities of Bulgaria and Romania conducted a joint investigation code-named “Not so fast” for dismantling an organized crime group dealing with migrant smuggling.
The investigations carried out showed that, starting with December 2023, a cross-border criminal group with pyramid-structure was set up on the territory of Romania, made up of Syrian and Romanian citizens, who acted in a coordinated manner, facilitating illegal groups of migrants to fraudulently cross the borders. The leader was a Syrian citizen, living in Romania, with influence and connections with members residing in Turkiye.
Starting with January 2024, 5 migrant transports totaling 70 people (mainly from Syria, Iraq, Iran) hidden in heavy vehicles (lorries) were intercepted on the route Turkiye-Bulgaria-Romania-Hungary-Austria/Germany, who paid the traffickers, through the Hawala system, amounts ranging from 5,000-10,000 euro/migrant.
On the 29 of July 2024 were conducted 10 house searches in Romania, among them being two safe-houses used for accommodating temporary the migrants.
SELEC contributed to the success of this joint investigation by organizing operational meetings and facilitating the exchange of information between the countries involved.
