Photo credit: OCCRP
Seven people have been arrested following a coordinated international operation targeting an organized criminal network accused of smuggling migrants through Bulgaria to other European countries. The action involved law enforcement authorities from Bulgaria, Greece, Romania and the Netherlands, with support from the South East European Law Enforcement Centre (SELEC) and Europol’s European Migrant Smuggling Centre. Bulgarian investigators, particularly the Border Police Directorate General, played a key role in gathering evidence.
Nivinite.com reports that authorities have identified 13 members of the organization. Among them are the group’s alleged leaders and logisticians. Three suspects are already serving prison sentences in Greece, while another three remain wanted. The investigation is being led by the Greek authorities in close cooperation with their counterparts in the participating countries
According to investigators, the network had been operating since February 2026, organizing movemenrt of illegal migrants from the Greek-Turkish border through Bulgaria and onward to destinations elsewhere in the European Union.
To carry out the smuggling operation, the group relied on trucks, passenger vehicles, rental cars and other automobiles obtained in Bulgaria. Some of the vehicles used had reportedly been stolen in Greece. Before continuing their journey, migrants were temporarily hosted in apartments in Thessaloniki that were rented or controlled by the organization.
From there, they were allegedly concealed inside the cargo compartments of international freight trucks and transported across borders under conditions that police described as posing a serious threat to their lives and health. According to the investigation, most of the migrants were Egyptian nationals, although citizens of other non-EU countries were also among those transported.
On July 16, Bulgarian officers from the Directorate for Combating Illegal Migration and the Investigation Department carried out operations across the country under a plan approved by the director of the Border Police Directorate.
A 45-year-old Syrian national was arrested in Sofia after being located through targeted operational work. He was wanted under a European Arrest Warrant issued by the Greek authorities. Police searched the addresses linked to him and seized the vehicle he had been using. The SIRENE Bureau within the Directorate for International Operational Cooperation was also notified as part of the international procedure.
The remaining suspects were detained during coordinated operations in Greece, Romania and the Netherlands.
Investigators searched a total of 10 properties in Thessaloniki, Athens and Sofia, confiscating two vehicles, mobile phones, electronic devices, cash and two surveillance cameras.
Authorities estimate that the network organized at least 12 illegal transportation operations since February. Smugglers allegedly charged between 2,000 and 6,500 euros for each migrant, generating more than 300,000 euros in illegal proceeds.
