Europol says three arrested over suspected Syrian migrant-smuggling network

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  • 06 August, 2026
  • 17:52
Europol says three arrested over suspected Syrian migrant-smuggling network

European police arrested three suspected members of Syrian ​smuggling networks after an operation ‌spanning Germany and Serbia, Europol said on Thursday, Report informs via Reuters.

The arrests come as ​Europe grapples with the ​aftermath of last week's crisis when ⁠more than 70,000 migrants surged ​into the Spanish North African enclave ​of Ceuta from Morocco.

"Investigators targeted senior members of two interconnected Syrian criminal networks ​believed to have organised the ​smuggling of more than 900 migrants into ‌the European Union," the pan-European police body said in a statement.

Those arrested included a 26-year-old Syrian ​in ​Germany and ⁠a 31-year-old Syrian in Belgrade, along with another ​suspect in the Serbian ​capital.

The ⁠networks are accused of moving migrants into Europe since 2022 ⁠via ​Mediterranean crossings from ​Libya and along the Balkan route.