Greek authorities have dismantled a sophisticated migrant smuggling network that allegedly used luxury yacht parties as a cover for trafficking, arresting a 38-year-old Swedish passport holder accused of leading the ring.
The operation was conducted by the Security and Maritime Border Protection Directorate and the Piraeus Port Authority.
Officials said the criminal organization trafficked predominantly Syrian families, charging fees between €8,000 and €10,000 per person.
The suspects allegedly used extravagant vessels and staged lavish parties, with participants dressed in swimwear, to disguise the human trafficking operations.
According to the investigation, migrants were first brought to Greek islands, where they were given forged documents.
They were then moved to safe houses in Athens before being flown to Germany and other Western European countries.
The alleged ringleader had been in Greece since at least 2020 and was the subject of a European arrest warrant. Authorities said he lived luxuriously despite claiming to be unemployed and that the network specifically targeted Christian Alawites from Syria.
The bust followed a long-term monitoring operation by national intelligence and maritime police.