Authorities in Germany and Belgium have successfully dismantled an international human smuggling network, which is believed to have facilitated the illegal entry of nearly 300 migrants.
On Tuesday, May 13, police conducted coordinated raids across both countries, arresting seven individuals in connection with the operation. Six of the arrests took place in Belgium, while one suspect was detained in Germany. The investigation, led by the Traunstein public prosecutor’s office and Germany’s Federal Police in Freilassing, also included searches of properties in both nations.
The smuggling ring is believed to have operated between 2022 and 2024, using ordinary vehicles to transport migrants into Germany and other EU countries, primarily through Poland and Austria. Investigators trace the origins of the network back to a border check near the German-Austrian border in Bavaria in September 2023, where a suspicious driver was stopped. Data from the driver’s mobile phone led authorities to suspect human trafficking, sparking a broader investigation.
The suspects arrested in Belgium are expected to be extradited to Germany, with extradition already being sought. The operation was a joint effort involving German and Belgian authorities, along with EU agencies such as Europol and Eurojust.
Both the new governments of Germany and Belgium have made clear their intention to implement stricter migration policies, focusing on tighter border controls and a reduction in asylum programs. This development follows a broader European effort to address human trafficking and unauthorized migration.
Earlier this year, French and Spanish authorities carried out a similar operation, arresting 19 individuals in Marseille on March 16. This operation led to the seizure of vehicles, a boat, and €20,000 in cash. The dismantled network is believed to have smuggled over 1,700 migrants through nearly 500 operations since November 2022, moving people primarily from Spain to France. Similar smuggling routes have also been identified between Germany, Belgium, and the UK.
