Greek authorities have dismantled an alleged migrant smuggling network accused of transporting more than 500 migrants into and across Greece through at least 41 operations since June 2025.
Ten people were arrested during a coordinated police operation in the northwestern region of Thesprotia and the northern city of Thessaloniki. Investigators estimate that the network generated at least €750,000 from its activities.
According to police findings, the migrants were mainly from Nepal, Yemen and China. They reportedly entered Greece on foot through difficult mountain routes from neighbouring Albania, reaching areas of Thesprotia near the country’s northwestern border.
Members of the alleged network are accused of providing migrants with temporary accommodation in rented properties and makeshift tents, as well as food, drinking water and SIM cards. Migrants were reportedly charged substantial amounts for these services before being transported to other parts of Greece.
Most were moved by intercity buses to Athens and Patras, although some were allegedly taken to other countries.
Police said the network also arranged illegal employment for some migrants, particularly in agricultural activities in the Peloponnese region.
Investigators found that members of the organisation allegedly withheld some migrants’ passports until they had repaid the money charged for their transportation and other services through their work.
The practice reportedly left some migrants working outside legal procedures to settle debts owed to the alleged smugglers.
Of the 10 people arrested, seven are Greek nationals, while the remaining three are foreign nationals comprising two Syrian men and an Albanian woman. A 26-year-old alleged accomplice is also implicated in the investigation and is already being held in pretrial detention.
Nine arrests were made in Sagiaida, in the Thesprotia region, while the remaining suspect was arrested in Thessaloniki.
Police said the suspects used a closed communications network through online messaging applications to coordinate their activities and avoid detection. They allegedly exchanged information about police movements and planned operations.
During searches of three residential properties and one business premises, officers seized three vehicles, mobile phones and other electronic equipment, €1,150 in cash and four passports.
Authorities also arrested 21 foreign nationals who could not produce valid documents authorising their stay in Greece.
Five of them were discovered at a property linked to an alleged member of the smuggling network, where they were reportedly living and working illegally at his business.
The operation was carried out with the cooperation of Europol and involved officers from police services in Thesprotia, Thessaloniki and Patras.
The 10 arrested suspects are expected to appear before the competent judicial authorities in Thesprotia as investigations continue.