Czech police have arrested 25 members of a gang suspected of smuggling 28,500 refugees through the country into the European Union.
The arrests were made in a series of co-ordinated raids on apartments in Prague and other cities and towns.
They also located a company that allegedly produced forged travel papers. They expect to make more arrests.
A police spokesman claims the gang have made millions of euro from their activities in the past two years.
They are suspected of trying to smuggle refugees mainly from India, Pakistan and Afghanistan into the EU.
Those arrested include citizens of the former Soviet Union, Yugoslavia and the Czech Republic. They are still being questioned and no charges have been made.
They face up to 10 years in prison if convicted on human smuggling charges.
Police say they discovered firearms, a hand grenade and forged travel documents during the raids.
PA