Migrant Smuggling Ring Busted in Europe

An investigation led by Italian authorities led to the arrest of 26 people involved in a migrant smuggling ring. The arrests were made on January 11. Most of the suspects were in Italy, while others were made in France and Germany. The ring has been in operation since August 2008, according to Europol. They smuggled migrants from Afghanistan into European countries, mostly the United Kingdom, Norway and Sweden.

The migrants were sent through Pakistan, Iran, Turkey and Greece first. They were then sent through Albania, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Rome before reaching their final destinations. The trip cost them from $4,600 to $6,600.

Europol says the suspects used the Hawala private money broker systems to move money to one another.

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