As the migration problem is still at a rather dangerous level for Europe, Northern Macedonia police intercepted 77 migrants and arrested 7 suspected human traffickers in the south, according to ABC News
The refugee problem in southern Europe is extremely widespread. Police in Northern Macedonia released a statement on Saturday saying that 77 migrants (52 Syrians, 13 Pakistanis, 5 Iraqis, 5 Turks and 2 Indians) were intercepted in the south of the country and 7 Pakistanis were arrested for suspected human trafficking.
This was the first large group of migrants to cross the border into northern Macedonia in recent months.
Seven Pakistanis are believed to be the masterminds behind the group’s illegal entry into North Macedonia from neighbouring Greece and criminal proceedings have been initiated against them. The migrants were housed in a reception centre in the border town of Gevgelija, awaiting deportation to Greece.
A total of 5,280 attempts at illegal border crossings were prevented in the first six months of 2023, the vast majority of them on the southern border with Greece. Remarkably, this represents a 43 percent decrease compared to last year. This efficiency had a chance of success because in April this year, the European Border and Coast Guard Frontex initiated a cooperative border patrol operation with local authorities.
