The investigation was conducted within the framework of a regional Operational Taskforce established to target migrant smuggling networks using Bulgaria as a transit country. A pyramid-structured criminal network with cross-border linksThe migrant smuggling network operated with a pyramid-style structure, with members playing different roles. After recruiting migrants in Türkiye, members of the criminal network smuggled them across the Southern Bulgarian green border, guiding them to predefined locations. To strengthen Europol’s efforts to combat migrant smuggling, Regulation (EU) 2025/2611 was adopted in December 2025. This new EU legislation underscores the importance of addressing migrant smuggling at the EU level through enhanced cooperation, including the establishment of the European Centre against Migrant Smuggling (ECAMS).