Samos: Smuggler arrested after high-speed boat chase

Greek authorities arrested a 24-year-old Iranian national following a high-speed chase involving a speedboat attempting to smuggle migrants to Samos. The vessel reportedly departed from the Turkish coast and was intercepted by a Hellenic Coast Guard patrol boat during a scheduled mission.

After ignoring signals to stop, the driver led authorities on a pursuit, eventually landing near the Praso peninsula to disembark passengers before attempting to flee back toward Turkish waters. A second chase concluded when the boat ran aground near Mourtia.

Police located 19 migrants in the surrounding area, consisting of 17 men, one woman, and one minor. The individuals were transferred to the Samos Closed Controlled Establishment. According to their statements, each migrant had paid 5,000 euros to a smuggling ring for transport to Greece. The suspect faces charges including illegal smuggling, unlawful entry, disobedience, and endangerment.