The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on several Balkan-based criminal gangs on Wednesday, including a Kosovo-based forgery network operating across the Western Balkans, as part of a broader effort to combat people-smuggling routes that send illegal migrants to Great Britain.

The measures, announced by the UK government through a press release, target “the Krasniqi forgery network—a Kosovo-based organised crime group accused of producing fake passports and identity documents for criminal gangs across Europe. The network allegedly supplied forged passports, IDs, and driving licences for more than 50 countries, including the UK.”

Nusret Seferovic, whose gang allegedly supplied fake Croatian passports to Balkan gangs, has also been sanctioned. 

In November 2024, the Bosnian based media outlet N1 Bosnia reported that Seferovic is accused of organizing a criminal group which allegedly forged Croatian documents for those without Croatian citizenship and also “obtained passports for numerous well-known figures of the criminal scene in Serbia and Montenegro.”

The UK Government noted that, “it will additionally sanction several international financiers for their role in supporting people-smugglers, including the ALPA Trading FZCO, which processes money for smuggling gangs.”

“The new sanctions, issued under the Global Irregular Migration Sanctions Regime, freeze the assets of the individuals involved and bar them from entering the United Kingdom,” it was stated in the UK government’s press release.

According to the British government, “the Krasniqi group operated a sophisticated forgery laboratory in Kosovo, producing high-quality fake documents used by smuggling networks.”

Those sanctioned include people who the UK government describes as leaders and members of the group: Burim Krasniqi, Arif Krasniqi, Flamur Krasniqi, Valon Krasniqi, Sami Duriqi, Granit Avdyli, Nexhmije Selmani, Endrit Ermellahu, and Shkembim Ermellahu. They have allegedly played different roles within the organisation including sourcing clients for their services, production of forged documents and advertising group’s services as well as providing premises for the group.

The UK government clarified that the sanctions were imposed “with support from the Kosovan authorities.” 

The Special Prosecution of Kosovo issued a press release issued on Wednesday welcoming the decision of the UK authorities under the Global Sanctions Regime against Irregular Migration, which aims to combat organised immigration crime networks operating in the Western Balkans.

“The case is being treated as a priority by the Special Prosecution,” the statement read.

“The Special Prosecution will continue to work closely with the United Kingdom and all partner countries, remaining a constructive and reliable actor in the joint fight against organised crime, as well as in promoting security and justice in the region and beyond.”

The UK’s Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper described the Western Balkans as, “a major transit route for ruthless people-smuggling gangs who trade in human suffering.”

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, hosting the Western Balkans Summit in London this week, said: “There’s a criminal route through the Western Balkans bringing illegal migrants to the UK, and we’re determined to shut it down by working with European partners.”

The UK Government emphasised that earlier this month, they announced 10 million pounds in funding to combat people-smuggling across the Western Balkans and other regions: “The funds will support initiatives such as enhanced law enforcement training in Kosovo, reinforced border security, and expanded anti-trafficking support services in Serbia.”