A people smuggler - who was part of a criminal network which brought 750 migrants to Germany and the UK - has been arrested in Wolverhampton.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) sent officers to join forces with European investigators, resulting in at least 20 arrests across six other countries.
The alleged people smugglers are believed to be responsible for sneaking at least 750 Syrian immigrants into the UK and Germany, moving the individuals in groups of around 100.
One of the routes used is said to be via Belarus, which has faced criticism over "destabilising" Poland, allowing asylum seekers to move beyond Polish borders.
Several hundred are claimed to have continued travelling through the Netherlands, boarding small boats to cross the Channel or hiding in vehicles that were aboard UK-bound ferries.
The gang was said to have received £7.5million for the 750 migrants, as each individual paid between £3,750 and £10,000.
Hussam Al Ramli, 35, has been arrested as part of the operation and was apprehended by NCA officials at his Wolverhampton home.
The Iraqi national is alleged to have arranged illegal crossings between Belarus and Poland for the criminal gang, as well as organising subsequent journeys across the border between Poland and Germany. Additionally, he has been accused of advertising his services online.
Together, officials from the NCA and Polish police attended Al Ramli's arrest in Wolverhampton, who now might be sent to Poland since he is wanted for people smuggling offences.
He is set to appear in Westminster Magistrates' Court for extradition proceedings.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The rest of Europe has seen several raids across the continent, including alleged members of the network arrested in Germany, Austria, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, while other searches were conducted in the Netherlands.
Amidst the raids, vehicles, cash and electronic equipment was seized by police.
The wider network of people smugglers is believed to span across 20 countries over the past three years.
NCA Director of Investigations John Denley said: "This was a major operation targeting a dangerous and harmful international people smuggling network operating in multiple countries, and impacting on the UK.
"This arrest, done alongside our Polish colleagues, means this individual will now face justice in Poland.
"Along with partners we have targeted a significant people smuggling gang, operating in the UK and across Europe, which is why international co-operation was so crucial.
"Tackling people smuggling is a key priority for the NCA, and we are putting more resource into targeting, disrupting and dismantling the groups behind it than ever before.
"This includes working closely with our European partners to target these networks who threaten our border security, see people as a commodity and put lives at risk."
Minister for Border Security and Asylum Dame Angela Eagle said: "We will stop at nothing to root out criminal networks wherever we find them. This includes working with partners overseas in collective pursuit of organised criminal smuggling gangs.
"The UK's National Crime Agency has played a critical role in this major international operation. Which is exactly why, with our new Border Security Command, we are investing more funding and resource into this vital work.
"This significant arrest is another prime example of the kind of work we will deliver more of. Criminals profiteering from human suffering should be in no doubt that we will dismantle their networks and end this evil trade."
Find Out More...
The National Crime Agency (NCA) sent officers to join forces with European investigators, resulting in at least 20 arrests across six other countries.
The alleged people smugglers are believed to be responsible for sneaking at least 750 Syrian immigrants into the UK and Germany, moving the individuals in groups of around 100.
One of the routes used is said to be via Belarus, which has faced criticism over "destabilising" Poland, allowing asylum seekers to move beyond Polish borders.
Several hundred are claimed to have continued travelling through the Netherlands, boarding small boats to cross the Channel or hiding in vehicles that were aboard UK-bound ferries.
The gang was said to have received £7.5million for the 750 migrants, as each individual paid between £3,750 and £10,000.
Hussam Al Ramli, 35, has been arrested as part of the operation and was apprehended by NCA officials at his Wolverhampton home.
The Iraqi national is alleged to have arranged illegal crossings between Belarus and Poland for the criminal gang, as well as organising subsequent journeys across the border between Poland and Germany. Additionally, he has been accused of advertising his services online.
Together, officials from the NCA and Polish police attended Al Ramli's arrest in Wolverhampton, who now might be sent to Poland since he is wanted for people smuggling offences.
He is set to appear in Westminster Magistrates' Court for extradition proceedings.
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The rest of Europe has seen several raids across the continent, including alleged members of the network arrested in Germany, Austria, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, while other searches were conducted in the Netherlands.
Amidst the raids, vehicles, cash and electronic equipment was seized by police.
The wider network of people smugglers is believed to span across 20 countries over the past three years.
NCA Director of Investigations John Denley said: "This was a major operation targeting a dangerous and harmful international people smuggling network operating in multiple countries, and impacting on the UK.
"This arrest, done alongside our Polish colleagues, means this individual will now face justice in Poland.
"Along with partners we have targeted a significant people smuggling gang, operating in the UK and across Europe, which is why international co-operation was so crucial.
"Tackling people smuggling is a key priority for the NCA, and we are putting more resource into targeting, disrupting and dismantling the groups behind it than ever before.
"This includes working closely with our European partners to target these networks who threaten our border security, see people as a commodity and put lives at risk."
Minister for Border Security and Asylum Dame Angela Eagle said: "We will stop at nothing to root out criminal networks wherever we find them. This includes working with partners overseas in collective pursuit of organised criminal smuggling gangs.
"The UK's National Crime Agency has played a critical role in this major international operation. Which is exactly why, with our new Border Security Command, we are investing more funding and resource into this vital work.
"This significant arrest is another prime example of the kind of work we will deliver more of. Criminals profiteering from human suffering should be in no doubt that we will dismantle their networks and end this evil trade."
Find Out More...