Balkan route
Eight individuals were detained across several Spanish cities—A Coruña (3), Alicante (2), Barcelona (2), and Huesca (1)—on suspicion of belonging to a criminal organization that allegedly facilitated the irregular entry of Pakistani nationals through the Balkan corridor. The operation exposed a coordinated scheme in which suspects arranged clandestine travel from Bosnia and Herzegovina to Spain by land, with each person paying between 12,000 and 20,000 euros for the journey. The findings, compiled by Europol in collaboration with labor inspection and Social Security authorities, illustrate the scale and reach of the network identified during the investigation.
The migrants reached Barcelona first, where the organization provided shelter and organized onward transport to A Coruña and Huesca. There, workers took up sporadic roles in restaurants and supermarkets, often without regular employment status or legal authorization. The operations involved monitoring and control measures designed to keep the network functioning, with the aim of dispersing migrants into local economies and establishing informal work arrangements.
During inspections, authorities carried out two residency registrations in Huesca and A Coruña and three labor investigations, focusing on a restaurant in A Coruña, a restaurant in Huesca, and a supermarket in Huesca city. Investigators recovered eight mobile devices, computer storage units, and a set of documents that could shed light on the organization’s methods and logistics. These actions formed part of a broader effort to map the structure of the network and assess the legal status of affected individuals.
The inquiry was coordinated by Europol in collaboration with labor inspection and Social Security programs. The individuals arrested face charges for participating in a criminal organization and for aiding illegal immigration. Two members also face accusations related to violations of the rights of foreign nationals, underscoring the multifaceted nature of the case and the possible abuse of protections meant for migrants.
Overview of the Balkan route
The investigation indicates that the fragmented criminal group exploited the Balkan corridor to organize clandestine travel for Pakistani nationals. The route is known to some migrants who travel first to Turkey and onward to Europe, with typical progression through Bosnia and Herzegovina and approaching the Croatian border before entering the European Union. This pattern mirrors a persistent channel used by illicit networks trying to move people across borders with limited oversight.
Inside the operation, a support mechanism described as the organization’s guidance line helped individuals navigate the border region between Bosnia and Croatia on foot. The path then continued through Italy and finally to Barcelona. The financially demanding journey often involved payments up to 20,000 euros for the full trip, highlighting the economic burden placed on migrants and the vulnerability of those who undertake it.
Accommodation arrangements
Upon arrival in Barcelona, additional members of the organization took control of housing and arranged transport to Huesca and A Coruña. The group steered migrants toward irregular work in supermarkets and restaurants while also managing their administrative status, sometimes directing them to seek international protection or social roots without legitimate grounds. In several cases, the organization supplied fake employment contracts and forged records to create the impression of lawful work and residency.
During inspections, many victims appeared without documents or formal contracts proving their legal status in Spain. The lack of verifiable paperwork highlighted the precarious position of those involved and the deliberate exploitation of legal loopholes by the network. Authorities emphasized that victims were often kept in vulnerable situations that hindered lawful work and proper integration into local communities. The case continues to unfold as investigators assess the full extent of the network’s activities and the protection afforded to those affected.