An investigation coordinated under a Europol taskforce led to the dismantlement of a migrant smuggling network active across the Balkan route. The Serbian authorities arrested several suspects, including two police officers in an investigation involving Bulgarian law enforcement. The criminal network allegedly smuggled a large number of migrants between January and July 2026 alone, transporting them via Bulgaria, through Serbia and towards Western European countries.
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/augI0jBomTg The action day led to:
- 5 arrests (1 High Value Target, 2 police officers and 2 associates)
- 5 locations searched;
- Seizures include: 3 vehicles used for migrant smuggling activities, firearms and ammunitions, a radio station, mobile devices and cash (EUR 5 700 and RSD 40 000)
About EUR 1 300 per person to cross Serbia
Active since 2025, the criminal network is suspected of smuggling migrants from Türkiye via Bulgaria and Serbia into Western Europe. The core members are Serbian nationals based in Pirot, Serbia, and the network is allegedly involved in smuggling large groups of Afghan nationals.
Migrants arriving from Türkiye were transported through Bulgaria, where they were dropped off near the Bulgarian-Serbian green border. From there, they crossed independently to pre-arranged GPS coordinates, where they were picked up by network members. The network provided temporary accommodation and arranged onward transportation across Serbia toward Western Europe. Migrants paid about EUR 1 000 per person for transport from the Bulgarian-Serbian border to Belgrade. They paid around EUR 300 per person for the next leg of the smuggling route, Belgrade to the Serbian-Hungarian border. Most payments were made using the Hawala money transfer system.
Europol’s dedicated Operational Taskforce
Europol organised and coordinated multiple operational meetings between stakeholders, facilitating the exchange of operational data. Additionally, four Bulgarian investigators were deployed to Serbia, with Europol’s financial support, to assist Serbian authorities. On the action day, Europol also deployed an expert to Serbia, conducting real-time cross-checks against its databases to support national law enforcement.
This action was conducted under a dedicated Europol regional taskforce, established in September 2023. A dedicated officer was deployed to Sofia, Bulgaria to support national authorities in tackling migrant smuggling networks active across the Balkan route. Most recently, Serbia joined the taskforce.
New Europol centre reinforces support against migrant smuggling
Migrant smuggling remains a key criminal threat for the EU, requiring coordinated action across the entire criminal chain – from recruitment and transit, to the financial flows that sustain it. Europol supports investigations through a data-driven approach, enhancing cases provided by national authorities with operational analysis and expertise. Europol also facilitates information exchange and coordinates joint operations to disrupt criminal networks.
To strengthen Europol’s efforts to combat migrant smuggling, Regulation (EU) 2025/2611 was adopted in December 2025. This new EU legislation underscores the importance of addressing migrant smuggling at the EU level through enhanced cooperation, including the establishment of Europol’s European Centre Against Migrant Smuggling (ECAMS) in March 2026.
ECAMS ensures better systematic exchange of information and coordination of efforts. This includes strengthening expertise in OSINT and financial investigations, as well as enhancing the operational impact of the network of liaison officers from Frontex, Eurojust, and the Member States.