The 'VIP' Service of People Smuggling Networks from Syria to Europe Costs Up to 20 Thousand US Dollars

The arrest of people smuggling network from Syria to Europe. (Source: Screenshot of EUROPOL YouTube channel)

JAKARTA - Joint officers from the Spanish, French, German, Norwegian, and Europol police have succeeded in dismantling a network of people smuggling from Syria to Europe, including those related to the trade of drugs and weapons.

The network that was uncovered has two operational centers based in Libya and Spain. The results of the investigation, this group is suspected of being active since 2017, generating up to four million euros through the smuggling of more than 200 people to the coast of Spain.

From the North African country, they recruit Syrians and arrange their transfer to Libya, via Sudan or Lebanon. The network provides them with the necessary documentation for the trip, including visas and exit permits.

Once in Libya, they remained housed in the group's safe house until they were transferred to Algeria, where they took refuge in apartments controlled by the network.

"It is well established that in several EU (European Union) and Middle Eastern countries, criminal networks use very long and expensive routes to smuggle irregular migrants from Syria to the EU," the security services said in a statement, quoted by The National News 5 July.

Later, the migrants were brought in from Algeria in high-speed boats driven by men carrying firearms.

"From Libya, they were taken to Algeria, before traveling to Europe via the Mediterranean," the authorities continued.

For the last stage, this network facilitates the entry of illegal immigrants from Syria through the western Mediterranean, in contrast to the usual practice through the eastern Mediterranean, from Turkey to Greece, as quoted by the Europol website.

The network charges up to 20,000 euros for VIP service which includes getting off at a different point on the beach from other migrants. That includes special extras such as transfers from the point of arrival in mainland Spain as well as accommodation there. From there they were ejected in high-end vehicles amid strict security measures.

"On the landing beaches, they build devices to detect police presence, organize surveillance patrols, have high-powered vehicles to escape migrants, to have embankments and boats with video surveillance to hide boats," said the security service.

Meanwhile from Europe, network members based in Belgium, Germany, and Spain coordinate sea crossings and facilitate secondary movement to destination countries.

"The criminal network facilitates all travel logistics, including transportation, documents in several countries, airplane tickets, and accommodation along the route," he stated.

Although some irregular migrants remain in Spain, the final destinations for most of those who make it to Spain's shores are France, Belgium, Germany, and Norway.

As previously reported, as a series of arrests and raids in Spain, 15 people were arrested (including an alleged ringleader of Syrian origin) in Almería, Roquetas de Mar, and Málaga, searched 13 houses, confiscated cash 522,710 euros and 1,200 US dollars, two speed high-speed boat, a gun, two outboard motors, 575 liters of petrol, seven vehicles, 200 grams of marijuana, 42 cell phones, two satellite phones two computers, tablets, and other documents were also seized.

🚨 Syrian gang leader arrested with 14 other suspects in Spain.

The suspects arranged for the smuggling of at least 200 migrants rarely used migration route from Syria through Sudan or the United Arab Emirates.

Press release ⤵️https://t.co/lzt1VYlIUr#EMPACT pic.twitter.com/JUv3wwyyLU

— Europol (@Europol) July 4, 2023