Four are in custody Turkish citizens and a Palestinian who are believed to be members of an organized smuggling ring Foreigners from Turkey to Kos.

Four foreigners were arrested for transporting 43 immigrants to the coast of Kos on two speedboats, which were stopped by the port authorities after being chased.

According to the Coast Guard, there were powerful speedboats on the ring to quickly and safely transport foreigners, who paid 3,500 euros per person for their transportation.

A Palestinian arrested on the island of Kos was allegedly in charge of receiving and transporting foreigners to safe houses after they disembarked.

On January 8, 2023, five detainees were brought before the Prosecutor’s Office of Protodiki Kos and they were charged with criminal charges under the articles: “Participation in a criminal organization for the purpose of illegal entry and exit of foreigners from the country” and after an apology they were considered detained.

The Department of Security and Protection of the Maritime Border, in cooperation with the administration of the port of Kos, carefully analyzes and processes all the evidence that has appeared and investigates the possible extension of the actions of members of the criminal organization in question to other cases.

Source: APE/MEB