The Greek police is really cracking down on illegal migrant trafficking. In the month of December alone a total of 1,041 illegal immigrants were arrested in Greece and deported back to their countries of origin as part of the ongoing campaign to crack down on illegal immigration. Approximately 6,012 illegal immigrants have been repatriated since August.
Zoom to January and this past week, police announced that they successfully dismantled a human trafficking ring, that was apparently bringing illegal immigrants into Greece from Turkey, and at the same time helping others leave Greece to other countries in the EU. With the help of the Greek Coast Guard, and following a four month investigation, police officials arrested 14 people in the area of Attica and Rhodes, including the ringleader, while at least 14 arrests have been issued through Interpol for the other members suspected of being in Turkey, Belgium and Germany. A yacht and speedboat, used in the illegal transports, were also confiscated.
In northern Greece, three Romanian nationals were arrested on after the Greek police discovered a total of 19 illegal migrants (6 Afghans, 6 Eritreans, 5 Syrians and 2 Iraqis) hidden in their truck. The police were performing a routine patrol check at the Dikeon intersection, in the prefecture of Evros (in northern Greece) when they made the discovery. The Romanians, aged 41 and 60 respectively, were immediately arrested. A 37-year-old Romanian, driver of a leading car who acted as a scout, was also arrested. Last week, two Iranian smugglers were apparently also arrested in Evros along with 13 more illegal immigrants. The Iranians, aged 29 and 35, were intercepted as they were disembarking from plastic rowboats on the banks of the Evros River along with six compatriots, five Syrians and two Eritrean nationals.
In Crete, Coast Guard officials detained 78 illegal immigrants on the small islet of Elafonisi, off the island's southeastern coast. They were apparently spotted by a local fishermen, who told officials that the illegal immigrants had been planning to travel to Italy. They were taken to the premises of the old city hall in Souda Bay, Chania, where they were to remain until authorities decide whether to deport them.
Editor's Note - Bravo to the Greek police for their hard work.
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