Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Operation Hawala launched against migrant smugglers

Caretaker Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev
Photo: BGNES

An operation against illegal migration is taking place on the entire territory of Bulgaria and in neighbouring Tutkey, caretaker Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev has announced. The operation dubbed Hawala will span several days. “Hawala” is an informal money transfer system used by people smugglers to guarantee the sum before the transfer of the “goods” via an illegal ring. The money is only paid out after the migrants’ arrival at their final destination.

Organizers of trafficking rings from North Africa, the Middle East and Asia along the so-called Balkan Route have been detained, as have migrants at illegal safe houses. Drivers were apprehended after a car chase near Yambol, as well as two traffickers from Georgia. 



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Sunny Wednesday with temperatures reaching up to 15°C

Wednesday will be mostly sunny. There will be weak to moderate west-northwesterly wind. The lowest temperatures are expected to be between minus 3° and 2°C; in Sofia - around minus 1°C. The highest temperature will reach 10°C to 15°C;..

published on 11/26/24 6:50 PM

The decision for the full membership of Bulgaria and Romania in Schengen has been drafted

According to unofficial information, the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU has drafted a decision for the full admission of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen Area. The draft document states that from January 1, 2025, checks on persons..

published on 11/26/24 6:17 PM

The Constitutional Court admits all five requests for the annulment of the Parliamentary elections

The Constitutional Court has admitted all five requests for the partial or complete annulment of the elections for the 51st National Assembly, submitted by We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria (PP-DB), Vazrazhdane, There is Such a People (ITN),..

published on 11/26/24 5:46 PM