PARIS (AFP) - French police have arrested 22 suspects who allegedly ran a lucrative people-smuggling ring for Pakistani migrants employed in the Paris construction industry, police said Friday. A Pakistani couple allegedly led the well-organised criminal organisation that recruited Pakistanis in their country, provided jobs in France and also transport and false documents, said a statement from the DGGN police squad. Several hundred illegal migrants from Pakistan secured jobs in Paris area construction sites and the scheme generated some 1.6 million euros over a little more than a year, according to investigators. The smugglers charged illegal workers between 13,000 and 22,000 euros each for their new life in France and 3,000 euros for a fake passport, according to investigators. Following a yearlong investigation, 140 police officers were mobilised to carry out the arrests on Tuesday and 13 suspects appeared before a magistrate on Friday. France, which has between 200,000 and 400,000 illegal migrants on its territory, has stepped up efforts over recent years to clamp down on illegal immigration.