Colombia: Migrant smuggling network to America and Europe dismantled

In Colombia, several members of a migrant smuggling network were arrested. The removal took place on Friday, May 12.

Nine people suspected of belonging to a migrant smuggling network that issued false documents to candidates for deportation to the United States or Europe were arrested in Colombia, prosecutors announced on Friday 12 May.

The suspects, including a former Colombian border police officer, allegedly sent between 4,000 and 5,000 dollars (or 3,600 to 4,500 euros) to each foreigner, including Dominicans, to the country of their choice, according to a public press release. Solicitor.

The trawl, organized in collaboration with the US Embassy in Colombia, took place on Monday, May 8 in the cities of Bogotá, Medellin (Northwest), Cali (Southwest) and Paso (South-West). According to the lawsuit, the network has been operating since 2018, for example, producing fake work permits from a fake US ship owner.

In Colombia, migrant smuggling is punishable by up to 12 years in prison. In addition to this charge, the suspects risk prosecution for conspiracy to commit a felony and corruption.

More than one million Colombians will migrate in 2022, out of a total population of about 50 million, according to a report by the Resource Center for Studies and Conflict Analysis (Cerac).