[Greek Coast Guard]
Greek authorities have uncovered a human trafficking network that reused seized boats to smuggle migrants. At least four boats, previously confiscated for involvement in migrant smuggling, were purchased at auction by the criminal group, which reintroduced them into illegal operations. Some estimates suggest up to 10 boats may have been recycled.
The network’s suspected leader, a 44-year-old Georgian man, has been under investigation since 2018 for trafficking drugs and migrants.
The operation also involved Turkish criminals, authorities said. In a recent case, a Turkish captain was arrested after attempting to smuggle 74 migrants aboard a boat seized in the Dodecanese. The boat was found to have a double registration – Greek and Polish – and was linked to previous trafficking operations. Authorities are investigating the use of a common email address used by the smuggling ring.
The operation, which was uncovered after months of investigation, highlights the persistence of illegal migration networks in the region.