A 44-year-old man of Turkish descent was arrested at Schiphol Airport on Wednesday, suspected of being involved in a human trafficking ring, Nieuwsblad reports.
According to the West Flanders Public Prosecutor’s Office, the suspect allegedly supplied boats and other nautical equipment to traffickers on a large scale.
The smuggling operation involved transporting rubber boats, outboard motors, and life jackets from Turkey to Germany, where they were then transported by car to the northern French coast.
From there, the traffickers used these dangerous, substandard boats for illegal crossings to the UK.
The equipment supplied by the suspect was deemed highly unsuitable for open water, putting the lives of migrants at extreme risk.
British authorities have linked these illegal crossings to at least fifty deaths in 2024 alone.
The arrest of this individual is considered a significant step in an ongoing investigation into one of the largest human trafficking networks, highlighting the collaborative efforts between the UK, EU countries, and agencies like Eurojust and Europol.
This operation underscores the importance of international cooperation in tackling organized crime.
Following his arrest, the Bruges investigating judge has requested the extradition of the suspect for further prosecution.
