Smuggling crackdown intensifies at Greece–Turkiye border
Authorities in northeastern Greece have arrested a suspected migrant smuggler transporting four people in a small van away from the border region, police said. The arrest took place near Dedeağaç (Alexandroupoli), close to the Meriç (Evros) River, a key crossing point despite a fence along much of the frontier with Turkiye.
Such arrests occur almost daily, as migrants continue attempting to enter Greece. The latest incident brings to seven the number of suspected smugglers detained in the past week for transporting migrants westward toward Thessaloniki, a major transit hub for those heading deeper into Europe.
In total, 35 migrants have been discovered in these vehicles, often in overcrowded conditions.
According to data from the United Nations, around 1,350 people have crossed into Greece via the Meriç (Evros) border so far this year, though the figure excludes those who evade detection. Including sea arrivals, approximately 5,000 migrants have entered the country since the start of the year.
