Europe: People-Smuggling

Though Communist countries do not ordinarily foster free enterprise, a shadowy group of Western entrepreneurs owes its profits to the existence of the Communist world. It is composed of the people-smugglers, who have made a mechanical — and ruthless — business out of springing refugees from Eastern Europe for a price. The price can be high, both in money (one ring charges $2,500 per escape) and, all too often, in human terms as well. While the smugglers often succeed in getting their clients to the West, their methods some times get other Westerners into serious difficulties.

Marion Blom, Lodi van...

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