Seven people have been arrested following a coordinated international operation targeting an organized criminal network accused of smuggling migrants through Bulgaria to other European Union countries. The action involved law enforcement authorities from Bulgaria, Greece, Romania and the Netherlands, with support from the South East European Law Enforcement Center (SELEC) and Europol's European Migrant Smuggling Center. Bulgarian investigators, particularly the Border Police Directorate General, played a key role in gathering evidence.
Authorities have identified 13 members of the organization. Among them are the group's alleged leaders and logisticians. Three suspects are already serving prison sentences in Greece, while another three remain wanted. The investigation is being led by the Greek authorities in close cooperation with their counterparts in the participating countries.
According to investigators, the network had been operating since February 2026, organizing the movement of illegal migrants from the Greek-Turkish border through Bulgaria and onward to destinations elsewhere in the European Union.
To carry out the smuggling operation, the group relied on trucks, passenger vehicles, rental cars and other automobiles obtained in Bulgaria. Some of the vehicles used had reportedly been stolen in Greece. Before continuing their journey, migrants were temporarily housed in apartments in Thessaloniki that were rented or controlled by the organization.
