Customs uncover 12 illegal migrants in trucks at Tetovo and Skopje 3
Five people were found at the Tetovo terminal and seven at Skopje 3; authorities coordinated with the Ministry of Interior.
Customs officers uncovered twelve people illegally entering the country who were hidden inside freight vehicles at two separate customs posts, authorities reported.
At the Tetovo customs terminal, officers suspected the presence of unauthorised persons before opening the truck for inspection and requested assistance from the Ministry of Interior; a search of the cargo area revealed five illegal migrants originating from Egypt and Sudan.
Second discovery at Skopje 3 terminal
About two hours later, at the Skopje 3 customs terminal, an inspection of goods declared for import led to the discovery of seven additional illegal migrants in another vehicle. The migrants were also reported to be from Egypt and Sudan.
According to the latest figures published by Frontex, illegal migration along the Western Balkan route has fallen by 42 percent.
Customs services said the incidents were detected during routine controls of cargo and that cooperation with the Ministry of Interior was immediately activated. Investigations into how the migrants were transported and who is responsible are ongoing.
Photo: press material from the event
