Austrian government dismantles international migrant smuggling group

Austria's authorities says it has dismantled a world felony community that was smuggling refugees into central Europe.

A complete of 205 folks have been arrested for allegedly trafficking hundreds of Syrian migrants, in response to a assertion.

"It's a nice success in opposition to organised crime and a blow in opposition to the smuggling mafia," mentioned Inside Minister Gerhard Karner.

Investigators started the operation in 2021 and say the group had transported greater than 36,000 kids and adults to international locations in Western Europe, akin to Germany and France.

Authorities say the felony community had amassed an estimated €152 million in latest months.

Lots of the refugees reportedly paid between €3,000 and €4,500 to be trafficked by means of Hungary and Austria.

The arrests occurred in a number of international locations, together with Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania, whereas 80 automobiles had been seized.

The suspects are additionally allegedly linked to the deaths of two migrants final yr, who had been discovered crammed in a van on the Hungarian border. 

The motive force of the automobile initially fled the scene however has since been arrested in Latvia, the Austrian inside ministry mentioned.

In January, one other suspected smuggler within the group shot an Austrian soldier as he tried to flee a checkpoint. He was later arrested in Hungary.

Austria has lately stepped up its border controls, citing a rise in migration and terror threats.