Twenty-four suspected human smugglers were arrested during an international operation targeting criminal networks involved in migrant smuggling, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, or Frontex, said on Wednesday.

According to a statement from Frontex, the operation was coordinated by Frontex, along with Austria and Germany.

It targeted cross-border crime in the Western Balkans region and EU’s eastern border.

“In addition to the arrests, 761 irregular migrants were detected, smuggled cigarettes, alcohol, drugs and weapons were seized, and 19 stolen vehicles were also recovered during the operation,’’ Frontex added.  (Xinhua/NAN)