[File photo]
Greek authorities dismantled a migrant smuggling ring linked to the Ritsona refugee center in Evia, the National Intelligence Service said, with support from the coast guard.
Two Iraqi nationals, aged 47 and 29, were arrested, while two others remain at large. The suspects used a motorized boat to transport migrants directly from Turkey to mainland Greece, bypassing the usual islands in what officials call a “ghost landing.” In these operations, migrants are secretly brought ashore on remote beaches that are not known as typical landing sites, allowing them to avoid detection.
On Saturday, 32 Syrian migrants, including 12 children, were landed on a secluded beach in Karystos, Evia. Coordinated operations later intercepted them in Nea Styra, Aliveri and Agios Stefanos in Halkida. The smugglers’ vessel escaped back to Turkey. Authorities seized four vehicles, two mobile phones, and 385 euros, plus 14,440 Turkish lira. The migrants were to be housed in “safe houses” before being moved abroad.