Europol busts gang smuggling irregular migrants to Italy from Romania, detains 19

By Giovanni Legorano

ROME (AA) – European authorities have dismantled a criminal gang smuggling irregular migrants from Romania to Italy and arrested 19 suspects accused of transporting over 700 people from different nationalities, Europol said on Tuesday.

The law enforcement operation resulted in the arrest of 19 suspects accused of smuggling at least 726 migrants for a fee of €3,000 (approximately $3,313) each in more than 30 criminal operations since January of last year, the Europol said in a statement.

Authorities executed 40 search warrants, and seized one modified van with a special compartment for smuggling irregular migrants, four vehicles, an all-terrain vehicle, a motorcycle, 52 mobile phones, two laptops, and one tablet.

They also seized foreign currency worth €15,000 (approximately $16,556).

“The criminals concealed the migrants among merchandise or squeezed them into compartments in modified vehicles, displaying the utmost disregard for their safety and well-being,” Europol said.

Five of those detained are suspected of being responsible for the logistics and management of criminal activities. The others are accused of hiring drivers or accommodating migrants in "safe houses," two of which were found in Italy.

According to the investigation, the suspects offered to transport migrants, primarily of Bangladeshi, Indian, Nepali, or Pakistani nationality with a temporary work visa from Romania, to Italy via Hungary and Slovenia.