Austria busts people smuggling ring

Austrian authorities have made 11 arrests as part of a police operation against a Serbia-based people-smuggling ring, the Interior Ministry said on Thursday.

The ring had allegedly been responsible for smuggling 1,800 people from Belgrade to the Austrian capital of Vienna since February, primarily Afghani and Syrian nationals.

International arrest warrants have also been put out for a further six suspects believed to be in Serbia, including that of the 47-year-old ringleader of the group, with Austrian police confident they will be in custody soon.

Police authorities from the state of Lower Austria said those arrested so far have confessed to the allegations, and are to be charged with both people smuggling and membership of a criminal organization.

They were said to have been very well networked, using a lead car to check for any police presence before vans with tinted windows were used to transport 10 to 15 people at a time via Hungary to Vienna. Six vehicles have thus far been confirmed to have been used by the ring.

The perpetrators had also rented several apartments in Vienna to recuperate.

Nearly 50,000 euros (53,870 U.S. dollars) were also found during house searches of the accused, with police estimations they earned a total 500,000 to 550,000 euros in smuggling fees since February.

Austrian authorities also said Thursday that the number of overall charges relating to people smuggling by Nov. 1 have been almost double those of a year prior, with 590 charges during this time. Endit