Federal police apprehended a smuggler in the Garmisch-Partenkirchen area near Mittenwald and detained seven Syrians traveling with him in the vehicle. The 38-year-old stateless individual, who did not possess a valid driver’s license, was attempting to transport the Syrians from Slovenia to Germany. Notably, three of the individuals were discovered in the trunk of the car. The smuggler is now facing charges for life-endangering human smuggling and driving without a license.
Authorities denied entry to four of the Syrians and sent them back, while the remaining three were taken to a reception center. The Syrians, aged 18 to 38, had traveled from Slovenia after arranging with a smuggler to be transported to Germany.
The incident began when a police patrol stopped an overcrowded car, discovering four people in the back seat and three in the trunk. Additionally, one of the car doors was stained with vomit from the inside.
The driver, claiming to be stateless but holding a Latvian passport, lacked both a visa and a residence permit. The police found no identification on the passengers, who said they were Syrian. Both the driver and the passengers were taken separately to the Garmisch-Partenkirchen police station for initial questioning.
The preliminary investigation revealed that the smuggler had driven the Syrians from Slovenia without a valid driver’s license. He was charged with life-endangering human smuggling and driving without a license. A court ordered his detention, and he was subsequently transferred to the Munich-Stadelheim correctional facility.
As for the Syrians, four were denied entry, as they expressed no interest in seeking protection or asylum, and were sent back to Austria. The remaining three were transferred to a refugee reception center.
