French law enforcement has taken down a long-running network that orchestrated illegal migration into Europe, charging between €15,000 and €26,000 per person for its services.
The operation led to the arrest of 26 suspected network members and the seizure of assets valued at €11 million, including luxury cars, jewelry, and other valuables. The investigation targeted a system facilitating illegal migration from India and neighboring countries into the European Union.
Since September 2021, the network is believed to have smuggled thousands of migrants from India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal into the EU, according to investigators. Migrants were allegedly charged steep fees for their entry into Europe.
“Smugglers facilitated the entry of migrants into the EU via Dubai or African countries, illegally obtaining tourist, work, or medical visas for them,” explained Julien Gentil, a representative of the border police department in Roissy.
The suspected leader of the network remains in Dubai, with no progress reported on an extradition request.
Additionally, two suspects involved in organizing schemes to legalize foreign nationals’ stays in Poland were arrested last week, one of whom is a Ukrainian citizen.
