Italy breaks up migrant smuggling gang including Iraqi Kurds

Italy has dismantled a criminal organization, arresting 19 suspects who smuggled migrants and asylum seekers from Turkey and Greece to Italy and into northern Europe, police said in a statement on 5 December.

The smugglers, including Iraqi Kurds, Afghans and Italians, were found to have had hired or stolen boats transporting migrants and to be connected with criminal groups in Turkey and Greece.

The smuggling ring, according to the police statement, charged around EUR 6,000 (USD 7,270) for transportation from the migrants to Italy.

TMP_07/12/2020

Photo credit: Alexey Pevnev

Photo caption: BERGAMO, ITALY – MAY 22, 2019: Italian police officers exercise control on the road in Bergamo. Lombardy.