Seven people were arrested, and another 21 people were identified as members and accomplices of a criminal organization involved in the smuggling of migrants.

Members of the organization used cars with specially equipped caches, while smuggling at least 155 immigrants was found, and the estimated financial benefit exceeded 300,000 euros.

These are 11 people (eight Greeks and three foreigners) aged 23 to 41, seven of whom were arrested and a criminal case was initiated against them on the creation of an international criminal organization with the aim of transporting and promoting illegal immigrants within the country, as well as criminal money laundering activities. In addition, in addition to the above-mentioned participants, data were established on another 10 defendants (five Greeks and five foreigners) in the same case.

The organization in question has been active in promoting illegal migrants within the country, both by using vehicles that have undergone modifications and in which specially designed crypts were built for the transport of migrants, as well as by conventional large-capacity trucks. but also with cars.

In more detail, it was established that a member of an organization based in Turkey is promoting illegal immigrants into Greek territory, across the Greek-Turkish border in the prefecture of Evros, who then get into vehicles acting on the orders of one of the arrested, with the main destination being Thessaloniki, where foreigners are taken to a temporary shelter – caches located in a wider area of ​​the prefecture.

It is worth noting that the vehicles are accompanied by escort cars to inform about any police posts, while the criminal organization collected from 2,000 to 4,000 euros for the transportation of each foreigner.

The investigation revealed that from early August 2022 to mid-January 2023, the organization carried out a total of 11 cases of human trafficking, during which a total of at least 155 illegal immigrants were transported with an estimated economic benefit. at least 300,000 euros.

As part of a coordinated operation yesterday Thursday (19.01) seven members of the organization were located and arrested in the districts of Thessaloniki and Pella prefectures, while seven searches were carried out in houses and two in garages, during which they found: seized:

13 vehicles, of which three IX trucks with a specially configured stash and one special type vehicle (fire engine) with a specially configured stash,

• Numerous telephone and electronic media,
• two GPS navigators,
• the amount of 860 euros and
• trace amount of raw hemp.

Those arrested against whom a criminal case has been initiated will be taken to the competent judicial authorities.