Head of Syrian smuggling network sentenced to eight years imprisonment in Épinal
A 36-year-old Syrian has been sentenced to eight years in prison in Épinal for leading a network that transported hundreds of migrants to France via French Guiana.
Eight years in prison for the head of "La Sultana Tours", Syrian smuggling network
A 36-year-old Syrian was sentenced on Thursday to eight years' imprisonment by the criminal court in Épinal (Vosges), according to reports from Google News FR — Crime (fr). He was found guilty of having organised the irregular entry of hundreds of Syrian migrants into mainland France via French Guiana.
Based in Épinal, the defendant ran a company called "La Sultana Tours", through which he offered compatriots the chance to reach France in exchange for a sum ranging from 1,000 to 8,000 euros. The route taken was structured: the migrants, mainly from the Druze community, first transited through Venezuela, then through French Guiana before reaching the mainland.
The facts, prosecuted under the charge of facilitating irregular entry, movement or residence in an organised group, cover the period from January 2021 to August 2025. The defendant faced up to ten years' imprisonment. The court followed the public prosecutor's submissions and sentenced him to eight years' imprisonment, accompanied by a fine of 400,000 euros and a permanent ban on residing in French territory.
The investigation had been launched in October 2025 following intelligence transmitted to the Metz office of the organisation combating illegal migrant trafficking, indicating a network operating from Épinal. Investigators notably uncovered promotional videos for "La Sultana Tours" distributed on WhatsApp. Placed in custody in early July, the network head was kept in pre-trial detention until the hearing.
In court, the defendant described his activity as that of "a travel agent", claiming to be "a citizen who tried to help his compatriots". With the assistance of an interpreter, he apologised several times, maintaining that he was unaware he was breaking the law.
According to the public prosecution, represented by Jean-Emmanuel Besset, this is "one of the largest, if not the largest network for Syrian immigration to France". The prosecutor specified that the man would have facilitated the transit of between 400 and 500 migrants between 2021 and 2025, representing "between 10 and 15 per cent of immigration to France" over that period. Several prospective exiles heard during the investigation confirmed having used this network.
The man, who held valid residence status in France, had lived in Venezuela from the age of 21 to study law, then in Brazil, before settling in Épinal to rejoin his wife.
Source: Google News FR — Crime (fr)