Migrant trafficking network to Romania dismantled in Bulgaria: four arrested
Bulgarian Border Police have dismantled a criminal group that transported illegal migrants from Syria, Iraq and Iran to Romania. Four men have been remanded in custody.
Operation at the Bulgarian-Romanian border: migrant trafficking network shut down
Four men with criminal records were arrested on Tuesday, 5 November 2026, following a specialised operation by the General Directorate of Bulgaria's Border Police, according to rador.ro. The group had organised the illegal transport of migrants from southern Bulgaria to the border with Romania.
The press centre of the Interior Ministry in Sofia confirmed the dismantling of the organised criminal group, which was active on Bulgarian territory from February 2026. The network operated on two entry routes: the Bulgarian-Greek border and the Bulgarian-Turkish border.
The channel route: from south to north
Once on Bulgarian territory, migrants — citizens of Syria, Iraq and Iran — were placed in vehicles and transported through the country with the aim of illegally crossing the Bulgarian-Romanian border. The operation was launched following a preliminary check initiated at the Border Police Department in Momchilgrad.
Searches in Kardzhali and Pazardzhik regions
Members of the group lived in the Kardzhali and Pazardzhik regions. Investigators carried out searches at seven addresses, where they identified and confiscated items and objects directly linked to the network's illegal activities.
The four men remanded in custody are aged 47, 25, 21 and 18 respectively. All are known to law enforcement. By order of the supervising prosecutor from the Kardzhali District Prosecutor's Office, they were remanded in custody for a period of up to 72 hours.
Charges under Bulgarian Penal Code
The four are charged under Article 321, paragraph 6 of the Bulgarian Penal Code, for participation in an organised criminal structure. Authorities continue to fully document the group's activities.
Translation: Mirela Petrescu / RADOR RADIO ROMÂNIA
Source: Google News RO — Crime (ro)