**Migrant Smuggling Ring Busted: Europol Assists in Operation Across Balkans**
A major operation to dismantle a migrant smuggling network that used the Balkan route has been successfully carried out by French authorities with assistance from several European countries. The investigation, which was supported by Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, and Serbia through operational information shared via Europol, resulted in 24 arrests.
On April 1st, around 300 Gendarmerie officers joined forces with police in northern Italy to bring down the network, which had been operating for some time. The operation was the culmination of a probe launched late last year against the group, which specialized in moving migrants across various borders, including those between Serbia and Hungary, Greece and Turkey, as well as Austria’s borders with Hungary and Croatia.
**How the Network Worked**
The migrant smuggling network functioned by providing drivers with rental vans and cars to transport migrants from the Hungary-Serbia border further into the European Union. A total of over 40 drivers were reportedly involved in this operation, which aimed to maximize profits by loading as many people as possible into each vehicle. The lucrative business was said to generate up to €12,000 per trip.
**Impact and Significance**
The dismantling of this migrant smuggling network highlights the complex nature of human trafficking operations across the Balkans. While the arrest of 24 individuals is a significant success for law enforcement agencies, it also underscores the need for continued cooperation and coordination among European countries to tackle this pressing issue.
This operation demonstrates that when authorities work together, they can effectively disrupt and dismantle networks involved in migrant smuggling. However, it’s essential to recognize that human trafficking remains a persistent challenge across Europe, requiring sustained efforts from governments, law enforcement agencies, and international organizations to combat it effectively.
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