On the 24th June 2008, a total of 75 persons suspected of being part of a people-smuggling network were arrested throughout Europe. The operation was supported by Europol and Eurojust and several countries were involved.

The investigations and arrests took place in Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. All suspects are said to be involved in the clandestine smuggling of a large number of illegal immigrants into and within the European Union. This was one of the largest co-ordinated actions against people smugglers ever, involving more than 1 300 police officers.

The police and judicial operations were code-named Operation Baghdad. Operation Baghdad targeted a network primarily consisting of Iraqi nationals and former nationals facilitating the illegal immigration of citizens from Afghanistan, China, Turkey, Bangladesh, and Iraq into and within Europe.

Europol experts prepared 75 intelligence reports, facilitated the exchange of information, and co-ordinated the police operations. The main suspects and new criminal links were discovered by Europol in close co-operation with national experts after in-depth analysis.

The network was responsible for recruiting the illegal immigrants in Afghanistan, China, Turkey, Bangladesh, and Iraq. It transported them to various EU Member States, such as Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Scandinavian countries. Each of the persons being smuggled is believed to have paid between € 10 000 to € 12 000, depending on the means of transportation and final destination. In France, one of the main organisers is suspected to have smuggled around 280 persons between July 2007 and January 2008. The money often was paid via wire transfer.