Greece cracks down on major smuggling network

Greece authorities have arrested more than 40 people who allegedly were involved in a people smuggling network. Over 2,300 migrants are alleged to have come in and out of the country with their help. Police said that another 55 people were still being sought in connection with the case.

It added that the illegal network had supplied over 2,500 forged documents to facilitate irregular migration. The group was reportedly based in the cities of Athens and Thessaloniki, from where it operated its business, which included five labs for falsifying documents. The criminal organization was also reported as having 12 flats, in which it would hide migrants prior to transporting them elsewhere.

More than 80 migrants who were ready to leave Greece with the aid of the smuggling gang were arrested and deported as part of this operation, news agency AFP reported.

From file: In the battle against illegal immigration, Greek Police officers are seen here detaining irregular migrants without legal residence permit in central Athens on March 20, 2022 | Photo: Dimitris Aspiotis/Pacific Press

Police said that the group would routinely charge up to EUR10,000 per person. It is estimated to have made over EUR9 million in illegal earnings in less than a year. As part of the government's plan to curb irregular immigration, Greek authorities have been conducting more and more raids on suspected smuggling gangs[2].

with AFP

References

1. ^ Greece: Suspected migrant smugglers arrested (www.infomigrants.net)
2. ^ raids on suspected smuggling gangs (www.infomigrants.net)
3. ^ North Macedonia: 9 suspected migrant smugglers arrested (www.infomigrants.net)