Smugglers Demanded €20,000 for VIP Migration Route

In a recent development, the intricate web of human smugglers has been further exposed by the Spanish National Police and the German Federal Police. As part of an ongoing investigation into a trafficking ring, 19 individuals have been apprehended. This ring provided a lavish yet illicit service known as the “VIP” irregular migration route – a convoluted journey from Syria to Northern Europe that came at a hefty price tag of €20,000 per person.

The European law enforcement agency, Europol, has disclosed that this particular operation facilitated the smuggling of a total of 550 Syrian migrants into the EU through this so-called “VIP” service.

The Spanish police detained a total of 16 Syrians and three Moroccans, believed to be integral members of this criminal network. Their alleged role involved smuggling Syrians via a circuitous route that spanned Sudan, Libya, and Algeria. From Algeria, the migrants were transported on high-speed boats across the Mediterranean to Spain and then onwards to Northern Europe.

Within this network, migrants were transferred between different traffickers as they journeyed from one country to another. The financial transactions and gains were orchestrated through the use of the underground banking system known as “Hawala.”

According to Europol, “The criminal group was closely connected to other migrant smuggling cells facilitating smuggling from Asia and Africa towards Europe. This interconnection, revealed over the course of the investigation, illustrates the international scale of an intercontinental migrant smuggling network active across Asia, Africa, and Europe.”

The total cost from Syria to the “final European destination,” as reported by Europol, amounted to a staggering €20,000.

The Stages of the Smuggling Route

Remarkably, Europol has provided a breakdown of the prices for each stage of this intricate smuggling route: €4,000 from Beirut, Lebanon to Egypt via airplane; €3,500 from Egypt to Algeria overland through Libya and Tunisia; €10,000 from the Algerian coasts of Oran and Mostaganem to the Spanish coasts of Almeria and Murcia by sea, followed by a land journey to Madrid, Cuenca, and Toledo; and finally, between €1,000 and €2,000 from Spain to Germany and Norway.

This criminal network is just a component of a larger scheme that is involved in smuggling Syrians through the Sudan/UAE-Libya-Algeria-Spain route, which had already captured the attention of the Spanish National Police earlier in the year.

In Libya, the smugglers allegedly exploited corrupt officials to facilitate the transfer to Algeria, from where the migrants were transported to Spain via high-speed boats.

Within Europe, members of the criminal network, situated in Belgium, Germany, and Spain, coordinated sea crossings and organized the subsequent travel to the destination countries.

The “VIP” Service and its Pricey Perks

Described as a “VIP” service by Europol, this package came with more than just smuggling. It included a transfer from the arrival point on the Spanish mainland and accommodations in Spain. To ensure the success of their illicit operations, the suspects even implemented stringent security measures.

Physical and video surveillance were put in place at various clandestine points along the coast, where irregular migrants were expected to be brought ashore.

Europol highlighted that this “VIP” service encompassed both the transfer from the Spanish mainland and accommodation, involving an “unusually long and expensive route.”

In Libya, the smugglers allegedly engaged corrupt officials to facilitate the transfer to Algeria, where migrants were subsequently transported to Spain on high-speed boats.

“The criminal network implemented stringent security measures to ensure the successful outcome of its illegal operations,” affirmed the agency.

Insight into a Criminal Network

The extensive investigation unveiled that this criminal network, which Europol suspects may have been operational since 2017, was engaged in a range of illicit activities. These activities spanned from the smuggling of migrants to the trafficking of drugs and weapons.

The entire narrative sheds light on the elaborate efforts of human smugglers, showcasing the lengths to which criminal networks go in their pursuit of profits. As investigations continue, the impact of these revelations on efforts to combat human trafficking and illicit activities is anticipated to be substantial.

FAQs: Addressing Your Queries

What significance does the smuggling of “VIP” migrants hold for Europe?

The smuggling of “VIP” migrants underscores the complexity and versatility of these criminal networks, which demand exorbitant fees for irregular pathways.

How did Europol uncover the transfer routes and pricing structures?

Europol disclosed the details of the transfer routes and pricing for various smuggling stages, shedding light on the extent of this network’s activities.

How were migrants transferred between traffickers?

The network transferred migrants between traffickers as they journeyed between countries, utilizing the “Hawala” underground banking system.

What role did corruption play in this network?

In Libya, the smugglers reportedly used corrupt officials to facilitate the transfer of migrants to Algeria, highlighting the deep involvement of illegal operations in criminal activities.

How were the network’s security measures implemented?

The smugglers established physical and video surveillance points along the coast to ensure the smooth execution of their illegal operations and the discreet arrival of migrants into the country.”