Police break up people-trafficking gang

Police have revealed that seventeen people have been arrested for involvement in a people-smuggling ring that brought at least 135 illegal immigrants to Western Europe. According to reports, the illegal immigrants were from India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Police continue to hold two suspects - both Indian nationals living in the Czech Republic - in custody. A police spokeswoman said it was believed that the smuggling activities had earned them an alleged 54 million crowns - the equivalent of 2.5 million US dollars, but the profit figure as well as the number of people smuggled through could be higher.

The suspected leaders of the operation face up to 10 years in prison if found guilty.