Skopje, 5 June 2023 (MIA) - Ten persons have been detained in Monday's coordinated police operation aimed at thwarting an organized crime ring for migrant smuggling.

The operation dubbed "Isar" was carried out by the national unit for countering migrant smuggling and human trafficking within the Ministry of Interior, in Kumanovo, Skopje and Strumica.

MoI spokesman Toni Angelovski said the two-year operation targeted a 17-member group from Serbia, Bulgaria, Hungary and North Macedonia, who smuggled migrants from Greece to Hungary and from Bulgaria to Serbia, with the EU as the final destination.

"The suspects rented vehicles from agencies in Skopje, Kumanovo, Tetovo and Bulgaria, and then hired 'drivers' and 'sweepers' to take and transport the migrants. They were given the exact locations in Serbia and Hungary through mobile apps, wherefrom the migrants were taken by other 'drivers' and 'sweepers'," said Angelovski.

Depending on the number of migrants, and the locations and vehicles used, the price for transport per migrant ranged between EUR 2,000-4,000.

Photo: MIA

Video: MoI