Joint German-French Operation Dismantles Major Migrant Smuggling Network, Six Arrested

International Crackdown on Migrant Smuggling

A large-scale criminal network suspected of smuggling approximately 900 migrants into Europe between 2021 and 2023 has been dismantled following a coordinated operation by German and French authorities. The action day, which took place on November 13, 2025, resulted in the arrest of six individuals, with four arrests in France and two in Germany. The operation received crucial support from Europol and Eurojust, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in combating organized crime.

Details of the Operation and Seizures

The joint effort involved the German Federal Police and French border police, including the Office for the Fight against Illicit Trafficking of Migrants (OLTIM). Authorities conducted 11 property searches – four in Germany and seven in France. During these searches, law enforcement seized various items, including firearms, electronic devices, and significant amounts of cash. Additionally, several bank accounts linked to the network were frozen. The German Public Prosecutor's Office Dresden and the French Interregional Jurisdiction against Organised Crime-Court of Paris were among the key judicial bodies involved.

Network's Modus Operandi and Financial Gains

Investigators revealed that the criminal organization facilitated migration from Türkiye, with routes passing through Serbia, Austria, Germany, and ultimately France. The network is believed to have generated more than EUR 4 million from its illicit operations. To transport migrants, the group employed dangerous methods, including reckless driving and concealment, often disregarding the safety of those being smuggled. It is suspected that the network hired over 20 drivers to carry out these transfers.

Tragic Link to a Fatal Incident

Further investigations have uncovered a plausible link between the dismantled network and a tragic smuggling incident that occurred on July 13, 2023, in Germany. This incident resulted in the death of a migrant after a driver, attempting to evade police, caused an accident. The driver involved in that event was subsequently convicted of murder. This connection underscores the severe risks and human cost associated with such criminal enterprises.