The sting on 16 April was the culmination of a year-long investigation involving law enforcement from Slovenia, Croatia, Austria and Italy.

The gang was led by a Kosovo citizen based in Maribor and its members were from the Balkans as well as Austria and Germany, the chief of the Maribor criminal police Robert Munda said.

During the course of the investigation alone at least 94 people were illegally brought into the EU, netting the gang 4,000 euros per person.

Additionally, some of the members dabbed in drug trade. Police confiscated 27 kilos of marijuana and 103 marijuana plants, as well as weapons and ammunition.

The Maribor District State Prosecution has brought trafficking charges against 19 people and four were charged with drug-related offences.