Antwerp, Belgium – The Federal Judicial Police in Antwerp have arrested eight individuals as part of an extensive investigation into an Afghan criminal organisation suspected of human trafficking, the Antwerp Public Prosecutor’s Office announced on Thursday.
The operation, conducted in cooperation with British and Italian law enforcement agencies, also led to eight additional arrests abroad.
Raids were carried out across multiple locations in Belgium, including Antwerp, Izegem, Jette, Sint-Truiden, and Roeselare, as authorities dismantled the alleged network that illegally smuggled individuals from the Middle East into Belgium through the Balkans, before transporting them to the United Kingdom.
The suspects reportedly used a variety of methods to move their victims, including cars, lorries, and boats.
Transnational Cooperation Leads to Arrests
The coordinated international operation underscores Belgium’s commitment to tackling human trafficking and its wider implications.
The involvement of British and Italian police highlights the transnational nature of the criminal network. Officials believe the gang was part of a larger operation facilitating illegal migration into Europe and the UK.
Belgian authorities have intensified their efforts to combat human trafficking in recent months, following an alarming rise in smuggling activities.
This latest crackdown follows a December 2024 conviction of three Afghan nationals in Belgium for their role in a major people-smuggling ring. Those convicted were arrested in the UK by the National Crime Agency and the Metropolitan Police.
Horrific Exploitation of Migrants
Investigators revealed that the criminal organisation not only smuggled migrants but also subjected them to severe abuse. In the December case, gang members were found guilty of committing serious sexual offences against male migrant minors, including rape.
Authorities stated that the criminals filmed these assaults to blackmail their victims into compliance.
“This is not just about illegal migration; it’s about grave human rights violations,” a spokesperson for the Antwerp Public Prosecutor’s Office stated. “The traffickers exploit vulnerable people, exposing them to extreme danger and unspeakable abuse.”
Profits Funneled Back to Afghanistan
Authorities have traced the gang’s illicit earnings, revealing that profits were either laundered through Belgian businesses or funneled back to Afghanistan.
The scale of the operation suggests a sophisticated financial network used to obscure the origin and movement of the criminal proceeds.
Extradition proceedings are now underway for the suspects arrested abroad, as Belgian prosecutors prepare to bring charges against those apprehended domestically.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities committed to identifying and dismantling all remaining branches of the trafficking network.
A Growing Crackdown on Human Trafficking
Belgian authorities have ramped up their focus on combating human trafficking networks operating within and beyond the country’s borders.
Recent cases have exposed the grim realities faced by smuggled migrants and the extensive profits generated by these criminal enterprises.
With multiple countries now collaborating to target trafficking organisations, officials hope that such operations will serve as a warning to those engaging in the illicit trade of human lives.
As law enforcement intensifies its efforts, the battle against human trafficking in Belgium and beyond continues.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
