Eight suspected migrant smugglers arrested near Turkish border
Greek authorities have arrested eight suspected migrant smugglers over the past three days near the country's northeastern border with Türkiye after intercepting vehicles transporting a total of 40 migrants who had recently entered Greece illegally.
According to police, two of the suspects did not possess valid driver's licenses, while two separate incidents resulted in traffic accidents that left several migrants injured.
The latest operation took place on Monday, when police arrested two foreign nationals who were transporting 11 migrants in two vehicles heading west toward Thessaloniki. One of the suspects was allegedly driving a stolen vehicle without a driver's license, while the second attempted to evade police by veering off the road. No injuries were reported in that incident.
On Sunday, police in the Meriç (Evros) regional unit found a vehicle that had overturned on a roadway carrying nine migrants. Eight of the passengers were taken to hospital for treatment, while the suspected smuggler was arrested near the scene.
In a separate operation over the weekend, authorities arrested five additional suspected smugglers who were transporting 20 migrants in overcrowded vehicles.
Thousands of migrants from the Middle East, South Asia and Africa attempt to enter Greece illegally each year by crossing the Evros land border with Türkiye, despite extensive border fencing erected along much of the frontier.
Greek authorities say more than 15,000 migrants have arrived in the country by land and sea so far this year, with many reaching the southern island of Crete after crossing the Mediterranean from Libya.
Source:Kathimerini
