They detained smugglers who transported hundreds of migrants through Slovakia and the Czech Republic – World – News
In recent days, Austrian police have detained 15 smugglers in Lower Austria and Vienna, who illegally transported more than 700 migrants from the Serbian-Hungarian border through Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The APA reported on Saturday, referring to the Lower Austrian police.
Syrian, Lebanese and Egyptian migrants enter Austria via the Mistelbach border crossing. The smugglers transported them in cars they bought in Hungary (they also registered them there) and Austria. Then they landed them in difficult Vienna.
The refugees said during the interrogation that they wanted to get to Germany. They have planned to continue their journey from Austria or relatives may come.
From each migrant, the smugglers asked for the transport of 4000 – 5000 euros. In this way, they have earned a total of more than 2.5 million euros.
The Lower Austrian Regional Criminal Office began investigating the case in October. Checks on suspicious vehicles began in mid-November. Immediately after crossing the border, 15 smugglers have so far been detained in the district of Korneuburg and in a hotel in Vienna. The organizers of the smuggling of migrants were based in Vienna.
According to the police, 12-15 people were smuggled in modified cars during one trip. The Austrian police made a record “catch” on November 16, when up to 25 vehicles with approximately 200-300 people were heading for the Austrian-Hungarian border. At that time, 14 vehicles were stopped, in which cash in the amount of several thousand euros was found. Some drivers tried to escape, with one causing an accident on the run. Last Thursday, a smuggler was arrested by a police officer in Hungary who went to Austria.
The smugglers were recruited through advertisements looking for drivers on social networks in their home countries – Moldova, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Poland. They were offered advances of 2000 – 3000 euros per month.
Police continue to search for other members of the smuggling network.