Greek Port Authority Dismantles Human Trafficking Ring, Rescuing Migrants in Evia

On Friday, the Greek Port Authority announced the successful dismantling of a human trafficking ring involved in transporting migrants from Turkiye to Evia and then to the Greek mainland.

Acting on a tip-off, the Port Authority engaged in a pursuit of a suspected trafficker off the region of Agios Nikolaos-Koskina in southeast Evia at approximately 01:50. In an attempt to evade capture, the suspected trafficker tried to use the 10-meter boat he was driving, which had 800hp, to ram the Port Authority vessels surrounding him. However, he was ultimately compelled to surrender, along with a fellow-passenger.

According to the provided information, a dinghy was delivering migrants to Aliveri, located in western Evia. Simultaneously, Port Authority officials on land intercepted four vehicles, including a van, that were carrying four Afghani and two Pakistani nationals. These individuals, who were associated with the trafficking ring, were waiting to pick up the migrants and drive them to Athens.

The suspected traffickers will be brought before a prosecutor for further legal action, while ongoing investigations by Kymi and Chalkida port officials aim to determine if additional individuals are involved in this criminal operation.