A major international operation has smashed a Syrian organised crime group operating one of Europe’s most significant people smuggling networks.

The German-led investigation against the group, supported by British officers from the National Crime Agency and co-ordinated through Europol and Eurojust, resulted in at least 20 people being arrested in a series of raids across the continent yesterday (wed).

Law enforcement teams from Austria, the Netherlands, Poland, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Serbia joined the NCA and German police in taking action.

Those detained are alleged to be responsible for the smuggling of at least 750 Syrian migrants into the UK and Germany, charging each one between 4,500 and 12,000 euros.

Once in Europe, migrants would be moved through the Balkans and then into Eastern Europe, before being taken to Germany.

In some cases around a hundred people would be moved at a time with those continuing to the UK being transported through the Netherlands, and onwards in small boats or hidden inside HGVs.

Wider members of the sprawling criminal network are thought to have been active in around 20 different countries since 2021.

Among those arrested as part of the operation was Iraqi national Hussam Al Ramli, 35, who was seized by NCA investigators at his home in Bilston, Wolverhampton.

He is alleged to have arranged for migrants to illegally cross the border from Belarus to Poland on behalf of the crime group, then arranging their onward journeys to the Poland-Germany border. He’s also accused of advertising the service on the internet.

Polish police officers accompanied the NCA to the arrest in Wolverhampton, and Al Ramli now faces being extradited to Poland where he is wanted for people smuggling offences. He is expected to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ where proceedings to send him overseas will commence.

Other raids saw four alleged members of the criminal network arrested in Germany, six each in Austria  and Serbia and three in Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Searches in the Netherlands also saw vehicles, cash, and electronic equipment, including phones and computers, seized.

NCA Director of Investigations John Denley said: “This was a major operation targeting a dangerous and harmful international people smuggling network operating in multiple countries, and impacting on the UK.

“This arrest, done alongside our Polish colleagues, means this individual will now face justice in Poland.

“Along with partners we have targeted a significant people smuggling gang, operating in the UK and across Europe, which is why international co-operation was so crucial.

“Tackling people smuggling is a key priority for the NCA, and we are putting more resource into targeting, disrupting and dismantling the groups behind it than ever before.

“This includes working closely with our European partners to target these networks who threaten our border security, see people as a commodity and put lives at risk.”

Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, said: “We will stop at nothing to root out criminal networks wherever we find them. This includes working with partners overseas in collective pursuit of organised criminal smuggling gangs.

“The UK’s National Crime Agency has played a critical role in this major international operation. Which is exactly why, with our new Border Security Command, we are investing more funding and resource into this vital work.

“This significant arrest is another prime example of the kind of work we will deliver more of. Criminals profiteering from human suffering should be in no doubt that we will dismantle their networks and end this evil trade.”