Greek Coast Guard arrests two smugglers in Aegean operations

Greek authorities have arrested two individuals in separate human smuggling operations in the Aegean region.

In Karystos, the Kymi Coast Guard arrested a 27-year-old Syrian national acting as a smuggler. Following the arrest, officials located 17 undocumented migrants—including one adult male, nine women, and seven minors—who had arrived via sailboat from the Izmir region of Turkey and were traveling toward Athens. The group was being transported in a van belonging to a non-profit organization that had broken down on a main road. The suspect, who had an outstanding administrative deportation order, faces charges for violating migration laws.

In Symi, the Coast Guard arrested a 33-year-old Turkish national identified as a smuggler. The operation began after five migrants (one man, three women, and one minor) were found in the Gyalos area. A patrol boat later intercepted a sailboat east of Pedi bay, where the suspect was identified by the migrants. According to their statements, the group departed from the Turkish coast near Selimigi, paying 6,000 euros each for the transport. The sailboat was seized as part of the investigation.