EUROPOL operation: Group smuggling migrants from BiH to EU countries dismantled

(Patria) - A comprehensive international investigation, jointly led by judicial and police institutions from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia, resulted in the uncovering and dismantling of a network of smugglers who transported migrants from BiH to Croatia and further to European Union countries.

The investigative activities were led by a special Operational Task Force (OTF) of the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation – Europol, focused on combating criminal activities on the Western Balkan migrant route.

As part of this international operation, the Croatian police arrested the leader of the criminal network on September 17, along with three other individuals suspected of participating in the smuggling organization.

The border area between BiH, Croatia and Slovenia stood out as a key route for the illegal crossing of migrants from BiH to the European Union.

Under the auspices of the aforementioned Europol operational group, the investigation was conducted to respond in a coordinated and decisive manner to the complexity of this criminal phenomenon.

So far, investigators have linked the network to more than 100 smuggling incidents, involving over 600 migrants.

This criminal organization had a carefully developed operational structure and a particular focus on covering tracks and avoiding police surveillance. Members communicated via secure and encrypted messaging applications to remain beyond the reach of investigative authorities.

The network consisted mainly of organizers from Croatia, while they hired drivers from the Czech Republic, Slovakia and other Central and Eastern European countries.

In most cases, migrants arrived in Sarajevo on legal flights from Istanbul. After a short stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina, they came into contact with network members, who then transported them to border areas.

Further crossing into Croatia was organized on foot, with guides working for the network leading migrants through forested and poorly controlled parts of the border.

Upon arrival in Croatia, the organizers provided temporary accommodation, most often in the wider Split area, after which drivers – mostly from the Czech Republic, Slovakia and neighboring countries – continued transporting them in rented vehicles towards Western European countries.