The Croatian Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime Service (USKOK) has launched an investigation against eight Croatian and one Pakistani citizens suspected of illegally transporting at least 624 foreigners in 137 cases this year, the HINA agency reported, quoted by BTA.
According to Croatian authorities, the profit from the illegal activity is nearly 300,000 euros, the agency said.
Prosecutors said the group is suspected of criminal association and facilitating the illegal entry, movement and stay of foreign citizens in Croatia, other EU countries or Schengen countries.
USKOK claims that the leader of the group, a 31-year-old man, organized the illegal transporting numerous foreigners from Bosnia and Herzegovina to Croatia from 5 January to 17 September, often via Split, Dugopolje, Trogir, Zadar and other locations outside official border crossings.
He is also suspected of organising temporary accommodation and subsequent transport of foreigners to agreed destinations in the EU for a fee.
According to reports, the 31-year-old coordinated the actions of the other suspects, instructing them, as well as other unidentified individuals, to collect foreigners at illegal checkpoints and transport them along routes determined by him, mainly around Split, Dugopolje, Trogir and Zadar.
The payments ranged from 100 to 1,000 euros per person.
USKOK will propose to the investigating judge at the Split District Court pre-trial detention for seven of suspects, HINA emphasizes.