The Italian authorities detained nine Pakistani nationals last week for allegedly smuggling migrants along the Balkan road, SchengenVisaInfo reported.

They were arrested after Tuscany’s Siena Flying Squad exposed an organisation allegedly dedicated to facilitating illegal migration along the Balkan route, SchengenVisaInfo reports.

The Italian news agency, Ansa, reported that all individuals detained face charges related to organising the illegal entry of multiple fellow nationals and allegations of robbery, injuries, and attempted extortion.

The investigations into the smuggling started last year, following a case where two Pakistani citizens were assaulted by multiple individuals believed to be part of the criminal organisation. One of the victims was forcefully held in an apartment located in the centre of Siena. Officials later found that it was an attempted kidnapping aimed to extort more money for his trip to Italy.