The standard fee for smuggling a migrant from Turkey to Serbia through the territory of Bulgaria ranges from EUR 2,000 to EUR 3,000. However, when a “VIP service” is provided (when the group is small - five or six people), the fee may rise to EUR 10,000 per person. Payment is made when the leading organiser confirms that the migrants have crossed into Serbia, Bulgaria’s Prosecutor's Office, the country's Ministry of the Interior and the General Directorate for Combating Organised Crime announced at a briefing, summarising the results of the operation against illegal migration. The operation dubbed Hawala took place on the entire territory of Bulgaria and in neighbouring Turkiye. 

According to the Prosecutor's Office, 92 people have been indicted for organizing and facilitating illegal migration. 6 people were detained, including one Lebanese, one Iraqi national and 4 Bulgarians. Increasingly often, traffickers are escorted by pilot cars driven by women to avoid arousing suspicion.  

• Operation Hawala launched against migrant smugglers