In a major crackdown on corruption and human trafficking, DIICOT (Directorate for the Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism) and DNA (National Anti-Corruption Directorate) have dismantled a criminal network led by several Ministry of Internal Affairs officials. The network is accused of bringing over a thousand migrants into Romania illegally with work visas and then facilitating their passage to other Schengen countries.
DIICOT Raids Target Key Figures in Human Trafficking Network
On Tuesday, June 4, 2024, DIICOT prosecutors and police officers conducted 67 raids across seven counties in Romania: Caras-Severin, Timis, Arad, Bihor, Arges, Sibiu, and Bucharest. The raids targeted the homes and offices of 40 individuals suspected of involvement in the human trafficking network.
Network Exploited Work Visas to Facilitate Illegal Migration
According to DIICOT, the network, which operated between 2022 and June 2024, consisted of at least 37 suspects, both Romanian and foreign nationals, and seven groups of companies totaling 31 entities based in Caras-Severin, Timis, and Arad. The network is accused of using work visas to bring migrants into Romania, not for employment purposes, but rather to facilitate their illegal passage to other Schengen countries.
Multi-Layered Network Involved Diverse Actors
DIICOT's investigation revealed that the network operated on six levels:
Leaders of the business groups
Associates of the group leaders with various roles within the companies
Former and current Ministry of Internal Affairs officials
Representatives of companies in Caras-Severin County recruited for the criminal scheme
Network members who allowed the use of their properties as residences for migrants with work visas in Romania
Network members responsible for transporting and transferring migrants
Corruption Enabled Illegal Visa Issuance
The network's criminal activities were facilitated by corrupt ties between the network members and officials at the Immigration Inspectorates in Caras-Severin, Timis, Arad, and Hunedoara counties. These ties enabled the issuance of work visas for over 1,181 foreign nationals, primarily from Pakistan and Bangladesh, in violation of legal procedures. The majority of these migrants subsequently left Romania for wealthier European countries without any contact with the company that recruited them.
Financial Gains Motivated Network's Activities
DIICOT's investigation further revealed that migrants paid between 500 and 1,000 euros for a work visa, with prices increasing to as high as 5,000-6,000 euros for expedited processing. The network also facilitated the illegal stay in Romania of foreign nationals whose visas had expired and should have been returned to their countries of origin.
DNA Probes Corruption Linked to Human Trafficking
In a parallel investigation, DNA is probing corruption allegations against public officials in Caras-Severin and Arad counties related to the facilitation of illegal migration. The investigation is focused on the period between 2022 and 2023 and involves raids at seven locations, including two public institutions.
The Dismantling of this Human Trafficking Network is a Significant Victory in the Fight Against Organized Crime and Corruption
The joint operation by DIICOT and DNA is a major blow to organized crime and corruption in Romania. The dismantling of this human trafficking network and the ongoing investigation into related corruption allegations demonstrate the authorities' commitment to combating these serious crimes.
Source: DIICOT Press Release
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