Germany raids Kurdish network suspected of migrant smuggling

BERLIN,— German police, in coordination with Europol and French authorities, carried out extensive pre-dawn raids on Wednesday targeting an alleged Iraqi Kurdish criminal network involved in smuggling migrants across the English Channel.

According to German police, over 500 officers conducted simultaneous searches at multiple locations in western Germany, including Essen, Gelsenkirchen, Grevenbroich, and Bochum.

The operation focused on dismantling a group accused of transporting migrants from the Middle East and East Africa to France and Britain using unsafe inflatable boats. The properties searched included residential addresses and storage facilities, with warrants issued by a court in Lille, France.

Authorities revealed that more than 20 French investigators and three Europol officials were directly involved in the operation. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser called the raids a “severe blow to the ruthless international trafficking of migrants,” highlighting their significant impact.

“These criminal networks exploit vulnerable individuals, forcing them into perilous journeys in overcrowded and poorly equipped boats,” Faeser stated. “Such practices not only endanger lives but also profit from human suffering. We are determined to take firm action against this ruthless trade.”

The crackdown follows an investigation into a broader smuggling network led by Belgian, French, and German authorities. Earlier this year, these efforts resulted in 19 arrests connected to another Iraqi Kurdish group accused of organizing the purchase, storage, and transportation of boats used for crossings from beaches near Calais, France, to the UK. Europol, headquartered in The Hague, confirmed these arrests and highlighted the growing prevalence of migrant smuggling via small boats since 2019.

In addition to the raids, German police targeted a refugee home in Essen, a detail first reported by the German daily Bild. However, officials have not yet disclosed the number of arrests made during the operation.

The issue of small-boat crossings has surged in recent years, overtaking other smuggling methods, such as hiding migrants in the back of trucks. Europol reports that in 2023 alone, approximately 30,000 migrants arrived in Britain using over 600 boats.

The problem has also led to significant prosecutions. In November 2024, Amanj Hasan Zada, an Iranian Kurdish man who described himself as ‘the best smuggler,’ was sentenced in the UK to 17 years in prison for organizing illegal Channel crossings.

Also last month, two Kurdish men from Caerphilly, Wales, named as Dilshad Shamo and Ali Khdir, admitted to operating a large-scale people-smuggling ring that moved thousands of migrants across Europe. The case was the result of a comprehensive investigation by the NCA in partnership with Gwent Police.

The raids in Germany highlight the scale and complexity of smuggling networks operating across Europe. Law enforcement agencies have repeatedly warned about the dangers posed by these criminal groups, which often exploit desperate migrants while reaping significant profits.

As cross-border operations like this one intensify, officials remain committed to combating the growing threat of human smuggling and ensuring the safety of those affected.

(With files from AFP | Reuters | Agencies)