On 7 April, the Directorate for Combating Organised Crime dismantled a migrant smuggling network. Three people were arrested - the organiser and two of his associates. 

The organiser is a third-country national who has been denied refugee status in Bulgaria and is living in the capital without a registered address. He recruited the illegal migrants and then redirected them to his accomplices - Bulgarian nationals who organised and supervised their illegal transport across the country to the Serbian border. 

Illegal migrants were mainly transported in small groups of 3-5 people in hired taxis. The group also provided special VIP services, including accommodation in Sofia and meals. The criminal group has been operating on the territory of the country since April 2022.