FIA arrests two human traffickers linked to Greek boat tragedy

Raids are ongoing in Gujranwala, Faisalabad for other suspects named in cases related to human trafficking

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Anti-Human Trafficking Circle (ATC) in Lahore has arrested two human traffickers involved in the Greek boat tragedy, Express News reported.

The two individuals, listed as highly wanted criminals, were apprehended during operations targeting traffickers linked to the tragic incident.

According to the FIA, following the arrest of two immigration officers stationed at Faisalabad Airport, the scope of investigations was expanded. Raids are ongoing in Gujranwala and Faisalabad to apprehend other traffickers named in cases related to human trafficking.

The FIA’s crackdown comes in the wake of directives from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has emphasized adopting a stringent strategy against human trafficking and those involved. The agency has launched operations against traffickers involved in several cases, including the Greek boat tragedy.

The two arrested traffickers were involved in sending four individuals illegally to Italy in exchange for a sum of Rs8.8 million. Tragically, two of those individuals, Hamad and Khawar, died in the boat accident.

FIA’s Anti-Human Trafficking Circle (ATC) Lahore arrested one of the traffickers, Nawaz Sansi, in Farooqabad, while another, the notorious fugitive Naveed Shah, was apprehended in Nankana Sahib. Both men were implicated in the illegal migration operation that led to the boat tragedy.

Additionally, the FIA Gujranwala Zone arrested another highly wanted trafficker, Muhammad Suleman, listed in the Red Book. 

Suleman was involved in over seven human trafficking cases, with charges filed by the Composite Circle of Gujrat in 2023. Suleman had swindled victims out of millions of rupees, promising to send them to Europe, and later helped them travel through Libya, Egypt, and Dubai.

Authorities revealed that 18 passengers involved in the Greek boat tragedy had travelled from Faisalabad Airport. The tragic incident occurred last week when a boat carrying migrants en route to Greece capsized.