Police in Estonia shut down more than 100 social media accounts used to share information about people smuggling and to look for drivers. In October, police detained 11 people suspected of illegally bringing others across the border. The suspected smugglers in the cases cited included people from multiple countries, and investigators said their stories followed the same pattern, seeking quick money and taking big risks. Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) officials said the smuggling pressure has been fed by the border area between Belarus and Latvia, where they described a steady flow of migrants being allowed through. They said an entire shadow economy has grown around it, turning movement of people into a business, with networks of clients, leaders and routes extending across Europe. Police said the alleged smugglers often found ways to move migrants through social media. PPA says it closed over 100 social media accounts connected to people smuggling. Investigators also described how suspected organisers and drivers face serious penalties. The law allows up to three years in prison for illegally bringing a foreigner across Estonia’s state border, and up to seven years where the situation puts migrants in danger of death or causes serious harm to health. Since the start of the migration pressure, PPA has detained 434 people who entered illegally across Estonia’s borders in 99 groups. Police say 55 criminal proceedings have been started and charges have been filed against 17 people. Several October cases followed vehicle checks and document controls. On 1 October, officers stopped a van on Viljandi highway with six people hidden in the cargo area. On 3 October, a Volvo with seven men inside was stopped in Tori parish. On 4 October, border guards found three people hidden in an Audi at Paldiski North Harbour, and the driver’s licence was reported as fake. On 5 October, police stopped a Toyota in Häädemeeste parish with four men on board, and on 6 October officers seized a Kia Sportage on the Tallinn-Tartu-Luhamaa road with seven men inside. One suspect was sentenced to a prison term. A court imposed a one-year and 10-month prison sentence on a Bulgarian citizen, with three months to be served immediately, and an additional outcome depending on any new offence. The men’s cases involving other stops and airport controls were still under investigation, with some suspects held in custody as proceedings continue. Status: Criminal proceedings are ongoing and court outcomes have been reported for at least one suspect, while detentions and investigations continue for other suspected drivers and organisers.