Seven Arrested for Smuggling Indian Citizens Into Romania
The Romanian police have reported that during joint action, seven individuals have been arrested for illegally smuggling migrants into Romania by using vans and lorries as a means of transportation.
Romanian police, helped by authorities from Austria, Germany, Hungary, Czechia, Poland, Serbia, and Europol, busted the organized crime gang receiving €5,000 to €6,000 from Indian immigrants to enter Romania and later reach Italy, Germany, and Portugal.
On this action, which took place on March 1, 2021, police searched ten locations, arrested seven people, confiscated cash, a weapon, electronic devices, and other documents.
Europol reported that in the course of the investigation, police officers located 30 illegal immigrants crossing the border illegally on four separate occasions. Before entering illegally into the EU countries, the migrants were entering Romania or Serbia legally. To get to their final destination, they were using vans and lorries.
The people who were responsible for transporting illegal immigrants were Romanian nationals.
The investigation that started back in 2019 exposed a highly organized criminal network with subdivisions in the East part of Europe. Some Indian citizens coordinated illegal activities, and it was found out that some of them were staying legally in Romania. The Romanian police officers arrested two Indian origin people in November 2020, and in January 2021 as they were suspected of leading the recruitment division.
Throughout this period, Europol helped exchange the information, offering coordination and technical support. A Europol analyst was also sent to the action place to provide real-time information.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Romania has not created a moratorium on immigration detention, nor it plans to have one. However, detained immigrants were not released since they were not being tested for the COVID-19, but prevention measures are taken in all asylum centers.
Romania numbered 462,552 migrants and 3,860 refugees in 2019, and out of six accommodation centers in Romania, only four of them are currently opened to immigrants.
AtoZSerwisPlus.ro has previously reported a similar case, where 1,569 migrants entered Germany through Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
But, overall illegal arrivals at the EU have decreased by half when comparing it to last year. The most extreme drop was recorded in the Eastern Mediterranean, with 3,400 illegal arrivals in January of last year, while in 2021, it was approximately 750, AtoZSerwisPlus.ro reports.
