A major smuggling ring involving Pakistani nationals has been dismantled following a coordinated police operation across Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia. The suspects were accused of running a clandestine operation that trafficked migrants along the Balkan Route into northeastern Italy.
The operation, which took place between April 14 and 15, resulted in the arrest of six individuals, all Pakistani nationals, while a warrant has been issued for one more suspect. The investigation began in February 2024 after a disturbing report from an Indian migrant living in Trieste. He and another Indian man were allegedly kidnapped and assaulted by two Pakistanis with legal residency in Italy, who recorded the violence and sent the footage to their families, demanding €2,000 in ransom.
Authorities found that the ransom money had been transferred through a web of routes involving Pakistan, France, and Italy. The police acted swiftly, arresting the hostage-takers and freeing the Indian victims. While three others linked to the case are still under investigation, they have not been detained.
The smuggling operation reportedly brought migrants from refugee camps in Bosnia—particularly from the Bihac camp—through forest paths across Croatia and Slovenia into Italy. The ring is accused of trafficking people from countries including Pakistan, Nepal, Afghanistan, and India. Once in Zagreb, the migrants were temporarily housed in apartments before being moved further westward.
According to police, migrants were charged between €4,000 and €6,000 for the entire journey. Among the arrested was one individual caught in the Logatec refugee camp in Slovenia and another in Trieste. Authorities are still searching for a recruiter operating in the Bihac camp.
In addition to the six arrested for smuggling, a 30-year-old Pakistani man was detained for drug possession. All suspects face charges of aiding illegal immigration, kidnapping for extortion, and repeated aggravated assault on migrants.
What route did the smuggling ring use to move migrants into Italy?
The migrants were smuggled through Bosnia, Croatia, and Slovenia before reaching Trieste in northeastern Italy.
This cross-border crackdown demonstrates the continued efforts of European police forces to combat illegal immigration networks and protect vulnerable migrants from exploitation.