The migrants, who had initially arrived in Italy from sub-Saharan Africa, were then smuggled to other parts of the European Union.

The suspects, who are primarily from Guinea and Ivory Coast, have been charged with criminal association for the facilitation of illegal immigration.

“The smugglers contacted the migrants directly in Africa (Ivory Coast, Mali, Morocco, Libya) and took them to the European country of choice for a payment of more than 1000 euros,” said Police Central Anti-Crime Director, Prefect Francesco Messina.

“Serious crimes, committed in several countries and characterised by transnationality,” he added.

ANSA