Three suspects arrested in Germany and Serbia in investigation into smuggling more than 900 migrants into the EU

Three suspects considered key members of migrant-smuggling networks were arrested on 5 August 2026 in Germany and Serbia in an international operation supported by Europol and Eurojust. The investigation targets two interconnected Syrian networks that allegedly organised the illegal entry of more than 900 people into the European Union, using the Central Mediterranean and Western Balkan routes, according to information published by Europol on 6 August.

In brief: One suspect was arrested in Saarbrücken and two others in Belgrade. Authorities also carried out six searches in the Saarbrücken area. One network with links to a militia in Libya allegedly organised crossings to Lampedusa in overcrowded boats without life jackets. Another network allegedly charged between €2,000 and €10,000 per person for transport along the Western Balkan route to Germany and other countries. One of the suspects arrested in Serbia allegedly played a central logistical role in a network responsible for moving at least 625 migrants. Europol coordinated the operational cooperation, while Eurojust supported the joint investigation by the German and Serbian authorities.

The operation followed investigations conducted over several years by the German Federal Police, under the direction of three public prosecutors’ offices in Bavaria. Authorities seized extensive evidence, which was undergoing forensic examination when Europol issued its statement.

On the Central Mediterranean route, one of the networks, which investigators say had links to a militia active in Libya, allegedly organised crossings to the Italian island of Lampedusa. The boats reportedly carried up to 61 migrants in overcrowded conditions, without life jackets or other safety equipment, and were not seaworthy.

The migrants, mostly Syrian nationals, allegedly paid between €6,500 and €7,800 for the journey before being transported onward to Germany with the help of other networks. Investigators estimate that the group made illegal profits of at least €875,000.

The other network allegedly coordinated the movement of migrants from Serbia to Germany and other Western European countries, charging between €2,000 and €10,000 per person. Entry into the EU allegedly took place from Serbia through Hungary or from Bosnia and Herzegovina through Croatia. The migrants were subsequently transported in cars, vans and trucks through Austria, Czechia, Poland or Slovakia.

The suspect arrested in Saarbrücken is a 26-year-old Syrian national whom investigators believe organised five illegal transports involving at least 125 migrants since October 2024. The two suspects in Belgrade were arrested on the basis of international warrants issued by Germany.

One of them, a 31-year-old Syrian national, allegedly coordinated at least 17 operations involving more than 150 migrants along the Balkan route in dangerous conditions between April and November 2022 alone. The other suspect, aged 32, allegedly played a central logistical role in a network responsible for transporting at least 625 migrants through Serbia to Western Europe in 2023 and 2024.

According to Eurojust, the suspect targeted in this latest investigation allegedly took part in at least 37 operations between June 2023 and June 2024. He allegedly transported people to Sombor, Serbia, where he handed them over to other members of the network, and facilitated their crossing from Serbia into Hungary. Five other members of the network had been arrested in 2025 in Germany, the Netherlands and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Europol’s European Migrant Smuggling Centre coordinated the task force supporting the investigations. The agency facilitated information exchange, the identification of links between investigations and real-time analytical support, while Eurojust supported a joint investigation team between Germany and Serbia through which the authorities exchanged information and prepared the arrest of one of the suspects.

Europol’s European Migrant Smuggling Centre coordinated the task force supporting the investigations. The agency facilitated information exchange, the identification of links between investigations and real-time analytical support, while Eurojust supported a joint investigation team between Germany and Serbia through which the authorities exchanged information and prepared the arrest of one of the suspects.2026-08-05-three-suspects-arrested-germany-serbia-migrant-smuggling