The ball started rolling when the transmigrants jumped out of a moving truck on November 10, 2017. In that incident, one of the victims was seriously injured. In the truck, the police discovered refugees from Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Thanks to further investigation, the investigators were able to map an Eritrean human trafficking organization. Some gang members worked from Ostend, but the smuggling activities took place at motorway parkings in Jabbeke, Wetteren, Antwerp, Brussels and the Walloon Wanlin, among others. During house searches in Ostend, Antwerp and Mol, 6 suspects were eventually arrested in October 2018.

The defendant, who is seen as a key figure, was given up to 130 hours of community service. If he does not carry it out, he still faces 15 months in prison. The other defendants were given community service sentences of 80 to 130 hours or suspended prison sentences of 8 to 12 months.