Arrest of 33 Members of a Network Smuggling Iranian Migrants to Britain

33 members of a human trafficking network involved in smuggling Iranian migrants to Britain have been arrested in the past week as part of a wider European investigation. According to the UK National Crime Agency, the suspects are believed to be 'key members' of an organized crime network that has facilitated the smuggling of hundreds of individuals to Britain via various European routes using forged documents. As reported by AFP, 24 of these 33 individuals, involved in smuggling Iranian migrants to Britain, were arrested during several joint operations between the UK National Crime Agency and Greek police in Athens. The report identifies the detainees as individuals aged between 26 and 45, but does not specify their nationalities. In connection with this case, 9 others were also arrested in Britain last week. Investigators believe that migrants paid amounts up to 10,000 euros each to traffickers to obtain forged documents and travel to Britain. During the operation, four forgery offices where the detainees were involved in creating fake documents were identified and shut down. Police also seized forgery equipment along with 50,000 euros in cash and hundreds of fake documents. The arrests last week in Britain were carried out in several operations in Glasgow, Manchester, and Northampton. Earlier this year, the British newspaper Telegraph reported that estimates indicate over 10,000 illegal migrants enter Britain annually. The UK National Crime Agency also reported in April that migrants resorting to human trafficking networks pay up to £13,500 to arrange their travel to Britain. This amount is slightly lower for those who agree to cross the English Channel by boat instead of flying, estimated at up to 12,000 euros.