SARAJEVO, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- A joint patrol of Bosnia and Herzegovina's (BiH) border police and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) has intercepted an attempt to smuggle nine foreign nationals near the eastern town of Cajnice, authorities said Thursday.
The incident occurred Wednesday when officers spotted a Bosnian-registered vehicle taking in several migrants. The driver, a 55-year-old Bosnian citizen, ignored police orders to stop and fled toward Ustipraca, but was later detained.
The migrants -- reportedly from Egypt and including seven minors -- were handed over to authorities. The BiH Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation for suspected migrant smuggling.
The case highlights intensified cooperation between BiH and the European Union on border management. Under a new status agreement signed in June, more than 100 Frontex officers are deployed across BiH to support local forces in tackling irregular migration and cross-border crime.
