The criminal network smuggled migrants from Türkiye via Bulgaria towards Western European countries.
A Bulgarian-led investigation, carried out in close cooperation with the Hellenic Police and supported by Europol, has led to the dismantlement of an organised criminal network involved in smuggling of migrants from Türkiye via Bulgaria and onward through Serbia or Romania towards Western European countries. The investigation was conducted within the framework of a regional Operational Taskforce established to target migrant smuggling networks using Bulgaria as a transit country.
The action day led to:
- 16 arrests;
- 6 locations searches;
- Seizures of mobile devices, administrative documents, vehicle registration documents, accountancy notebooks and other records.
A pyramid-structured criminal network with cross-border links
The migrant smuggling network operated with a pyramid-style structure, with members playing different roles. The core group, based in Sofia, consisted primarily of Bulgarian and Syrian nationals who acted in a highly coordinated manner. Their main role was to arrange transit across Bulgaria, while maintaining close cooperation with other criminal networks based in neighbouring countries. For example, the payment for the smuggling services was already arranged prior to departure. Migrants were required to place a deposit through hawala offices in Türkiye, from where the migrants departed.
After recruiting migrants in Türkiye, members of the criminal network smuggled them across the Southern Bulgarian green border, guiding them to predefined locations. From there, drivers transported them to Sofia using a variety of vehicles, including cars and buses. Migrants were temporarily accommodated in safe houses in and around Sofia before being moved towards the Bulgarian–Serbian or Bulgarian–Romanian borders. In some cases, migrants were transported directly to the border areas without interim accommodation.
Europol’s dedicated Operational Taskforce
Europol conducted extensive operational analysis to identify the different targets and map their criminal activities. Europol deployed an expert to Sofia within the framework of the regional Operational Taskforce and was on the ground during the action day, providing real-time cross-checks against Europol’s databases to support national law enforcement authorities.
Ever since its establishment in September 2023, Europol has been providing dedicated operational and analytical support to the operational taskforce led by Bulgaria. Europol organised and coordinated numerous operational meetings between the stakeholders and facilitated the exchange of operational data.
New Europol Centre reinforces support against migrant smuggling
Migrant smuggling remains a key criminal threat in the EU, requiring coordinated action across the entire criminal chain – from recruitment and transit to the financial flows that support 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 the European Centre against Migrant Smuggling (ECAMS).
When setting up ECAMS, Europol’s priority is to ensure better systematic exchange of information and coordination of efforts. This includes strengthening expertise in open-source intelligence (OSINT) and financial investigations, as well as enhancing the operational impact of the network of liaison officers from Frontex, Eurojust, and the Member States.
The following authorities took part in this action:
- Bulgaria: General Director for Combating Organised Crime (Главна дирекция Борба с организираната пресъпност), the General Directorate Border Police (Главна Дирекция Гранична Полиция), and the Sofia Directorate of Internal Affairs (Столична дирекция на вътрешните работи), Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office (Софийската градска прокуратура)
- Greece: Hellenic Police (Ελληνική Αστυνομία)
