ATHENS: Greece’s Customs Authorities dismantled a suspected organized group who were facilitating the entry of irregular immigrants in to Greece via maritime route. In a crackdown on illegal immigrants, it revealed that the criminal organization was responsible for the illegal immigration of around 350 migrants. Migrants were smuggled from Turkey into by using different types of boats.
A coordinated law enforcement action that took place in various locations in Greece in March, 16 suspects were arrested and 20 premises were searched. Police seized significant evidence including around 280 passports and identity cards of persons from various EU countries, 82 mobile phones, 25 computers and tablets, six printers, various cars and motorcycles, EUR 64,000 in cash and EUR 154,714 in bank checks and bank deposits.
The Investigations revealed that each migrant was charged from € 4,000 up to a maximum of €9,000 for the travel, depending on the destination and documents required. The criminal group could have earned around €7.5 million in illegal profits.
The traffickers used different range of methods for smuggling human form Greece to EU member states. The network was operated in Greece and linked with several countries including Romania, Syria and Egypt.
