French authorities have dismantled a significant migrant trafficking network suspected of smuggling thousands of people from South Asia into France. The operation, which resulted in the arrest of 26 individuals and the seizure of assets worth €11 million (US$12 million), was announced by the French border police.
The smuggling network allegedly facilitated the entry of individuals from India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal into France, charging between €15,000 and €26,000 per person. Authorities believe the network generated millions of euros in illicit profits, which were laundered through construction companies, gold trafficking, and informal financial transfers to South Asia.
The arrests were conducted over several months, from March to November 2024, according to Julien Gentile, director of the French border force at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Gentile explained that the smugglers organized travel to the European Union via Dubai or African countries, using fraudulently obtained tourist, work, or medical visas.
Despite the arrests, the alleged leader of the network remains at large. French authorities have requested his extradition from Dubai, but the request has yet to be approved. Among those arrested, 15 suspects have been placed in pre-trial detention, while seven are under judicial supervision. Four others were expected to appear before an investigating judge on Thursday.
The seized assets, valued at €11 million, include properties, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and gold. Authorities noted that the arrested individuals held various roles within the organization, from smugglers to financial operatives involved in laundering the proceeds. Gentile described the case as exceptional due to its scale and complexity.
France has been under increasing pressure to address undocumented migration, particularly from its northern coast, where many migrants attempt to cross the English Channel to Britain. The issue has become a focal point in French politics, with the current conservative government pledging to take stricter measures against illegal migration.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau is scheduled to visit the Calais region for discussions with local mayors about the ongoing migrant crisis. This year alone, at least 72 undocumented migrants have died attempting to cross the Channel. Local officials have called for additional police resources and stronger measures against smuggling networks operating in the area. Retailleau also plans to meet with British officials in London in December to discuss joint strategies for addressing the crisis.
Human trafficking remains a serious crime in France, carrying potential sentences of up to 20 years. French authorities have intensified their efforts against such activities, as seen in the December 2023 incident where a plane carrying hundreds of Indian passengers was detained at Vatry Airport. The flight, originating from the United Arab Emirates, was suspected of being part of a trafficking operation following an anonymous tip-off.
As migration challenges continue to dominate political and social discourse in France, the government is under pressure to implement effective measures to curb human trafficking and ensure border security. The recent arrests mark a significant step in these efforts, but much work remains to address the root causes and international dimensions of the crisis.