Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Police busted a migrant smuggling ring operating from Syria and Iraq through Turkey

16 were arrested in the Europol coordinated the operation

Photo: mvr.bg

Sixteen people were arrested for trafficking illegal migrants, the Interior Ministry said. This operation was carried out by Bulgarian authorities on June 3. It took place in six districts of the country: Sofia, Burgas, Kardzhali, Stara Zagora, Haskovo and Yambol. 


Europol coordinated the operation, which involved services from Greece and Romania. The operation was launched after receiving information about an organized criminal group operating in Bulgaria to traffic migrants. This group was part of a functioning cross-border channel from Syria and Iraq via Turkey to Western Europe and the UK. 


Since June 2024, the criminal group, consisting of Romanian, Bulgarian, and Syrian nationals, has transported hundreds of migrants in groups of three to thirty people per trip. The cost ranged from €5,000 to €18,000 per person, depending on the final destination. The main routes were from Turkey to Greece, from France to the UK, from Turkey via Bulgaria to Romania, and from Turkey to Bulgaria via border control points and across the Turkish-Bulgarian border into the interior of the country.




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

Petrova Niva marks 122 years since the Ilinden-Preobrazhenie Uprising

The 122nd anniversary of the Ilinden-Preobrazhenie Uprising will be marked today in the historical area of Petrova Niva in Strandzha. The celebration is being held under the auspices of President Rumen Radev, who will also participate in the event, the..

published on 8/16/25 6:45 AM

The end of the week will be warm but windy, especially at sea

  On Saturday minimum temperatures will range from 14°C to 22°C , around 17°C in Sofia. The day will be largely sunny, with some cumulus cloud building over the western half of the country during the afternoon. Moderate winds from the east-north-east will..

published on 8/15/25 7:05 PM
Petar Dilov

Ministry of Economy: Prices in levs and euros must be the same size

Prices must be displayed in the same font size for both currencies, with designations that are clear to the consumer. There is no requirement which currency is written first. This was stated by the Minister of Economy and Industry Petar Dilov after a..

published on 8/15/25 5:36 PM