People smuggling organization transports 700 migrants arrested in Austria

Fifteen people have been arrested in Austria in recent days on suspicion of human smuggling. The group is said to have smuggled more than 700 Syrian, Lebanese and Egyptian migrants into the country. In addition, 14 cars that were taken across the border were seized.

Last month, police opened an investigation into the organization that smuggled migrants into Austria from the Serbian-Hungarian border through Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The smugglers were traveling with twelve to fifteen people at a time in cars and trucks with darkened windows. To be able to accommodate more refugees, the rear seats were removed and shock absorbers strengthened.

The immigrants, who mostly wanted to travel to Germany, were disembarked somewhere north of Vienna. They paid over 4000 euros for the trip. In total, the organization received 2.5 million euros.

crowded together

Last week, several suspects were arrested on their way from Hungary in 14 cars with more than 200 people on board. The suspects come from Moldova, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. They also recruited new smugglers via social media in those countries, who were offered 2,000 to 3,000 euros per month to drive cars and vans.

Inspections in Austria often drive smugglers out of the way with vehicles often packed tightly with little air. In October, such a choice Finding two dead immigrants In a truck carrying a total of 28 refugees. Police said they were dehydrated. 2015 51 immigrants suffocated During a similar transfer.