Smuggling

Police say they have dismantled a migrant smuggling ring transporting Afghans to western Europe.

The network is thought to have smuggled around 200 migrants from Romania to France and Germany, according to Europol.

The criminals pushed migrants into the back of large lorries while drivers were sleeping, it said.

It is in the framework of ongoing efforts to combat cultural property trafficking and to preserve heritage items

The Turkish Coast Guard Boat Command, which was launched to prevent smuggling activities over Lake Van and to ensure security on the lake, will play an active role in preventing irregular migrants from being taken to other provinces by boat, according to officials on Aug. 21. 

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Border police officers in Negreti Oas, Satu Mare County, were forced to use weapons to stop several people involved in cigarette smuggling of Ukrainian origin, the spokesperson of the Territorial Inspectorate of the Sighetu Marmatiei Territorial Inspectorate of the Border Police (ITPF), Iulia Stan, said on Tuesday.

At least 78 of 93 identified suspects were detained on Aug. 10 as part of Turkey's first-ever countrywide operation against historical artifact smuggling.

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Turkish Police. Photo: EPA-EFE/TOLGA BOZOGLU

"The first historical artefact smuggling operation against income gained from smuggling in the history of the republic was launched in 30 cities, and 72 of the 96 people under suspicion were detained," Turkish Police said, Anadolu Agency reported.

The operation, codenamed Anatolia, was launched after a two-year investigation by KOM.

Romanian organised crime prosecutors on Thursday announced the dismantling of a transnational syndicate with presences in several states across the Balkans that trafficked illegal immigrants into Western Europe.

Turkish security forces seized more than 714 kilograms (1,574 pounds) of heroin on July 23.

In one operation, police in İpekyolu district of eastern Van province captured more than 265 kilos (584 pounds) of heroin and arrested two suspects on allegations of drug trafficking, according to a statement by the provincial police department.

The Turkish boat was in an area where illegal immigrants are smuggled to the free part of Cyprus

Port of Bar in Montenegro. Photo: Government of Montenegro

On July 10, the Prosecutors' Office launched an investigation into the breaking-in to a hangar in the port and theft of a large number of "Marble" cigarettes worth 500,000 euros.