Serbian police have discovered 300 migrants and a substantial number of weapons in a wooded area near the border with Hungary, as reported by the Serbian Ministry of Interior on August 1.
Known as the Balkan Route, this migration path passes through Turkey, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Serbia, serving as the primary route for migrants and refugees attempting to enter the European Union. However, this route is also exploited by trafficking networks.
According to official statements, 13 migrants were arrested in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Code, while 27 others faced charges for misdemeanors.
During inspections conducted in the area stretching from the settlement of Hajdukovo to Stara Karaula, and within the Jasenovac forest and Omar camp, authorities found nine automatic rifles, one hunting rifle, three pistols, and 841 rounds of ammunition, as confirmed by the Serbian Ministry of Interior.
Following the discovery, the migrants were collaboratively transported to reception centers with the cooperation of Serbian police and the Commissioner for Refugees and Migrants, ensuring they received appropriate accommodation.
The border region between Serbia and Hungary has recently been a site of conflict among various trafficking groups.
Earlier, residents near Subotica, close to the Hungary border, had reported hearing gunshots within the wooded area.
In June 2023, three people were injured by gunfire near Subotica. Subsequently, the police apprehended two individuals in connection with the incident.
In a previous confrontation between trafficking groups in the same area last July, one person was killed, and several others sustained injuries.
Despite rigorous border controls and efforts to deter illegal crossings, migrants persist in attempting to reach the EU through the Serbian-Hungarian border.
To counter the migration flow, Hungary has tightened border security measures and constructed a 175-kilometer-long barrier along its borders with Serbia and Croatia.
Under Serbian laws, individuals involved in enabling illegal border crossings can face imprisonment ranging from six months up to five years, with even harsher penalties applied to those associated with organized criminal groups.
