STA, March 22, 2018 – In a cross-border operation led by the Slovenian police, twelve people suspected of smuggling migrants from Kosovo to Slovenia were arrested on Wednesday, according to a Thursday press release from Europol.
Eight people were arrested in Kosovo and four in Slovenia, while 12 houses were searched, 19 mobile devices confiscated and 4 guns with ammunition seized.
The organised crime group has smuggled 300 migrants a month over the past year, including minors.
Each migrant was charged EUR 2,500 to 3,000, and the crime group made EUR 900,000 every month through their illegal activities.
The group used different modes of transport to cross borders and made use of safe houses and a network of contacts along the way.
Source: europol.europa.eu
The suspects were arrested as part of the operation bringing together Slovenian and Kosovar police, the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) and Europol.
The operation was led by Koper police, while Europol organised operational meetings in Pristina and provided analytical and investigative support.
The Koper Police Department said in a separate press release the operation will continue today and tomorrow. It said more details would be provided in the coming days.
