French authorities have arrested 26 individuals and confiscated 11 million euros ($12 million) as they dismantled a migrant trafficking operation. The network is accused of smuggling thousands of people from South Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, into France since September 2021. Traffickers charged between 15,000 and 26,000 euros per person, generating millions in illegal profits, which were laundered through construction companies, gold trafficking, and informal financial transfers.
Arrests occurred between March and November 2024, with suspects facilitating migration through Dubai or African countries, providing fake tourist, work, or medical visas. While the network’s leader remains on the run, France has requested his extradition from Dubai. Of the arrested, 15 are in pre-trial detention, and seven are under judicial supervision.
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