Syrian man detained in France on suspicion of leading migrant smuggling network

The public prosecutor’s office in the eastern French city of Épinal announced that a 36-year-old Syrian man has been placed in pre-trial detention on suspicion of running a migrant smuggling network operating across several countries and reaching French territory via French Guiana.

Épinal public prosecutor Frédéric Nahon said the investigation began in October 2025 after information was received by the anti-smuggling unit in Metz regarding a network suspected of transporting migrants from Syria through Turkey, Venezuela, and Brazil to French Guiana, before their onward movement to mainland France.

He added that the suspect, a Syrian national residing in Épinal, is believed to have led the network, which is estimated to have facilitated the movement of between 400 and 600 people between 2021 and 2025, according to preliminary investigative findings.

Authorities said they had identified financial transactions linked to the suspected activity, which were allegedly routed through intermediaries abroad, particularly to Brazil. The suspect was arrested last Monday and placed under investigation.

The prosecutor’s office also stated that the suspect ran a travel-related services company allegedly offering migrants assistance in reaching France in exchange for payment, using promotional material distributed via digital applications. Investigations are continuing in cooperation with Brazilian authorities.

The suspect was referred to the judiciary on Thursday and placed in pre-trial detention, pending a court appearance scheduled for 3 September. He faces charges including assisting the irregular entry, transit, or residence of foreign nationals in France as part of an organised gang.