In brief
On 28 October 2026, the border police in Sofia detained 19 suspects involved in a smuggling ring that brought migrants into Bulgaria and sent them to Western Europe. Four were charged, including three Syrians and one Bulgarian, and remanded for up to 72 hours. The investigation still continues, with searches of multiple addresses and vehicles completed and witness statements gathered.
In Sofia, Bulgaria, on 28 October 2026, border police arrested 19 individuals linked to a criminal network that smuggled migrants across the country for onward transport to Western Europe.
The arrests were carried out by the Border Police Directorate General under the supervision of the Sofia City Prosecution Office and were part of an investigation that began in March. 19 suspects, some operating out of disguised trucks and cars, were detained during a raid on Tuesday.
According to the police statement, the criminal ring employed specially constructed concealed compartments in trucks to bring migrants into Bulgaria illegally. They then rented properties in Sofia for temporary accommodation before arranging hidden compartments in vehicles for the final leg of the journey into Western European states.
Charges were pressed against four of the detainees. Three of the charged are Syrians and one is Bulgarian. All four have been remanded pending further proceedings for up to 72 hours. One of the Syrian nationals, identified by the police as a mastermind of the ring, has been charged in absentia; he is believed to be hiding outside Bulgaria.
The investigation involved the search of five addresses and two vehicles. Witnesses were questioned, and a report summarizing the seized materials was submitted to the supervising prosecutor. The case remains open and the authorities continue to gather evidence.
These operations underscore the ongoing effort by Bulgaria’s border police to curb the illegal movement of migrants and to dismantle organized smuggling networks that facilitate cross‑border travel into Europe.
