FIA arrests two agents for smuggling people to Europe via sea

Suspects, identified as Shabbir Ahmed, Muhammad Javed, detained in separate operations in Gujrat, Narowal districts

Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) have arrested two agents involved in smuggling citizens to Europe via dangerous sea routes, Express News reported.

The suspects, identified as Shabbir Ahmed and Muhammad Javed, were detained in separate operations in the Gujrat and Narowal districts, according to an FIA spokesperson.

Ahmed allegedly charged over 1.3 million Pakistani rupees ($4,600) per person to facilitate illegal migration to Spain via Mauritania. However, the migrants refused to travel by boat and eventually returned to Pakistan, authorities said.

Javed, the second suspect, had been an absconder for 14 years. He was wanted in a case registered in 2011 for taking 275,000 rupees ($970) from a citizen, promising to send him to Muscat, but failing to do so before disappearing.

“The suspects have been taken into custody, and investigations are underway,” the FIA spokesperson said.