Greek police busts migrant smuggling ring

Greek authorities say they have broken a criminal ring that smuggled migrants from the region of the Evros river to the areas of the Peloponnese for transportation by sea to Italy.

According to police, migrants had entered Greece illegally and then went on to Italy by using small vessels which departed from remote beaches.

A police statement Monday said three foreign nationals have been arrested for the alleged ring membership. Police also said that the head of the ring is a Syrian national, who is being sought along with eight more members of the gang.

The three suspects were caught Friday in the southern Peloponnese region, reportedly preparing to take a group of 46 migrants to Italy on a 12-meter long vessel.