LONDON/BRUSSELS: A major Afghan human smuggling network in Europe has been uncovered following a joint operation by British and Belgian authorities, leading to the deportation of key suspects.
According to Afghan publication Afghanistan International, the alleged ringleader of the network, Zeeshan Bangash, has been deported from the United Kingdom to Belgium. The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) said the network was involved in illegally transporting migrants through Iran, Türkiye and the Balkan states before reaching France and Belgium.
Investigators revealed that the group smuggled thousands of migrants from France into the UK through illegal routes. The network is also accused of serious crimes, including sexual exploitation of refugees, blackmail, extortion, and organized criminal activity.
In a major development, a Belgian court has sentenced 23 members of the Afghan smuggling network to a combined 170 years in prison, marking one of the toughest actions taken against human traffickers in Europe.
Authorities said the operation highlights growing cooperation between European countries to dismantle organized migrant smuggling rings and protect vulnerable refugees.