Six people were arrested and 10 homes searched across Austria, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom in a Europol-supported investigation into a criminal network accused of smuggling migrants, producing fraudulent documents and laundering money. The coordinated operation took place on Sept. 22, 2026, with authorities seizing identity documents, electronic devices, evidence and a large amount of cash. According to Europol, the network allegedly moved migrants from mainland Europe to the UK by air, using counterfeit documents to facilitate travel through Schengen-area airports. Investigators said many migrants initially entered the European Union with genuine passports and, in some cases, valid tourist visas before discarding their documents and receiving counterfeit replacements. Authorities identified multiple cells operating across Europe. A Vienna-based group allegedly supplied fraudulent documents and used mobile phone businesses to launder proceeds, while a cell in Spain is believed to have distributed more than 1,000 counterfeit identity documents. Investigative leads indicate that the broader network generated more than €2 million in illegal proceeds. Law enforcement agencies from 17 countries contributed to the investigation, which included inquiries into routes through Belgium, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Sweden and the Netherlands. Europol provided intelligence coordination, database analysis and financial-investigation support through its European Centre Against Migrant Smuggling. Post navigation Second Teen Charged in Coomera Assault