Human trafficking, money laundering, millions frozen. Successful operation by border guard and tax administration
A coordinated operation by the Polish Border Guard and the National Tax Administration has dismantled a multi-national criminal group involved in human trafficking and money laundering. The operation highlights the effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation and sophisticated investigative planning.
In brief
The Maritime Branch of the Polish Border Guard and the National Revenue Administration have broken up a group of more than a dozen people involved in human trafficking and money laundering, detaining 8 people, 6 of whom were remanded in custody. Officers searched 17 premises and secured cash, investment gold, numismatic items and jewellery worth PLN 3.6 million, and 28 bank accounts with balances exceeding PLN 3.8 million. The operation involved 125 Polish Border Guard officers and 31 officers of the Warmińsko-Mazurski Customs and Tax Office. The group recruited around 2 thousand foreigners, mainly Colombian nationals, and 50 were recognised as victims of human trafficking.
- This operation targeted 17 residential and commercial premises and several vehicles linked to the group. We secured cash, investment gold, coins, and jewelry worth approximately PLN 3.6 million, as well as 28 bank accounts with over PLN 3.8 million frozen, said Tadeusz Gruchalla-Wensierski, spokesperson for the Maritime Border Guard (MOSG).
Forced labor and exploitation of foreign workers
The group, composed primarily of Ukrainian, Polish, and Uzbek nationals, recruited foreign workers—mainly Colombians—already in their home countries, and falsely sent them to work in Poland.
- Victims were subjected to forced labor, threats, and exploitation of their vulnerable situations, Tadeusz Gruchalla-Wensierski explained.
Arrests, asset seizure, and operational challenges
Eight suspects were detained, six of whom were placed in pre-trial detention. Two others are under police supervision with travel restrictions and financial guarantees. During the operation, officers had to use firearms to stop vehicles driven by fleeing suspects; no injuries were reported.
- The operation was multi-faceted. In addition to arrests and searches, we secured criminal assets and collected evidence that will allow for further charges and assessment of tax liabilities, the spokesperson added.
Scale and coordination of the operation
A total of 125 Border Guard officers from several units—including Gdańsk, Warmińsko-Mazurskie, Nadwiślański, and Nadodrzański—took part in the action, supported by 31 officers from the Warmińsko-Mazurskie Tax Office. Firearms and small amounts of narcotics were also seized.
Investigation ongoing
The investigation has so far identified 50 victims of human trafficking and uncovered that approximately 2,000 foreigners were recruited during the group’s operations.
- Operations of this scale demonstrate that combating organized crime requires precise planning and close inter-agency cooperation, Tadeusz Gruchalla-Wensierski concluded.
Source: Gazeta Morska · Compiled by: Kamil Kusier
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