Skopje (North Macedonia), Dec 21 (AP) Police in North Macedonia mentioned Wednesday that they had arrested 9 individuals, together with a police officer, on suspicion of smuggling dozens of migrants via the nation.

The 9, who’re all Macedonian nationals and embrace two minors, had been arrested throughout raids on 11 places within the capital, Skopje. Another two males had been being sought, police mentioned.

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Three males from Middle Eastern nations who haven’t been arrested are believed to have led the group, which is accused of getting smuggled individuals from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria and different nations from Greece to North Macedonia on their solution to Serbia after which wealthier European nations.

The group can be accused of getting transferred Indian migrants from Serbia to Greece via North Macedonia, police mentioned.

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Authorities mentioned the group is believed to have smuggled a minimum of 86 individuals throughout a six-month interval from May to October, charging them as much as 800 euros ($850) every for the switch.

The 9 had been set to look earlier than an investigating decide later Wednesday.

The migration route that stretches via from Greece via the Balkans grew to become extra energetic once more this yr after many Balkan nations lifted journey restrictions imposed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

North Macedonia’s inside minister, Oliver Spasovski, just lately mentioned that police recorded 83 migrant-smuggling makes an attempt within the first 10 months of the yr, practically double the quantity in comparison with the identical interval in 2021. (AP)

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