The November 20 operation mobilized more than 450 officers across Europe. 25 arrests were made in Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany, Poland, Serbia, and the UK. Among those arrested were three high-value targets, including an Iraqi citizen accused of heading a linked smuggling ring. According to Europol, migrants paid between 4,500 euros ($4,715) and 12,000 euros ($12,575) for the perilous journeys, which were coordinated through hawala operators in Turkey and Europe.
Source: OCCRP, 2024-11-29; https://www.occrp.org/en/news/eu-operation-takes-down-violent-smuggling-ring