BELGIUM CLAIMS DISMANTLING HUMAN TRAFFICKING NETWORK

Brussels, 1 Rabiul Akhir 1437/11 January 2016 (MINA) – Belgian authorities claimed to have dismantled an international criminal organization that smuggled thousands of people to the U.K., local media reported Monday.

Citing the prosecutor’s office of the Belgian province of East Flanders, Belgian newspaper Mediahuis reported Monday that the network smuggled over 3,000 undocumented Kurds and Iraqis to the U.K. through Belgium, Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) reported, quoting Anadolu Agency.

Six people suspected of being complicit in the smuggling operation were arrested, including two suspected leaders of the criminal network, which reportedly smuggled 20 people on average every day in trucks after payment of €3,000 ($3,300) per person, according to Mediahuis.

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Two suspected leaders of the network were arrested Friday in the UK, according to Belgian news agency, Belga News.

Belgian police began its investigation into the network in May. (T/P010/R04)

Miraj Islamic News Agency (MINA)