Athens police have dismantled a criminal network that facilitated the illegal movement of foreign nationals—primarily from China—into Greece via Albania and onward to other European Union countries.
Following coordinated raids in the eastern Athens suburb of Vyronas (Byronas) and central Athens, officers arrested a 39-year-old man alleged to have played an active role in the group. He is accused of managing temporary accommodation facilities and assisting with the illegal entry, stay, and exit of migrants.
Authorities identified four apartments in the same building in Vyronas that served as “safehouses” for short-term stays. Inside them, police found 21 foreign nationals aged 22 to 58 who lacked the required documents to remain in Greece. The arrested man is believed to have overseen the apartments and the temporary housing arrangements.
According to the Hellenic Police, the network had been operating since at least late July. Migrants reportedly flew from China to Albania, then crossed the Greek-Albanian border on foot through remote, unguarded stretches. Once inside Greece, they were transported by car or bus to the Vyronas apartments, where they stayed temporarily while the next stage of their journey was organized—typically toward other EU destinations.
The group is also accused of producing and supplying forged travel and identification documents, including passports, residence permits, and identity cards of questionable authenticity. These were used to help the migrants leave Greece and travel to countries such as Italy and Spain. The fee charged per person for the full illegal transport and relocation package reportedly ranged from €6,500 to €7,000.
During searches of the 39-year-old’s residence and the four apartments, police seized passports, residence permits, and identity documents of dubious authenticity; 10 boarding-pass stubs; photocopies of airline tickets; small quantities of narcotics; a large number of keys; three surveillance cameras; counterfeit clothing items; 28 mobile phones; and one vehicle allegedly used by the group.
The arrested man faces charges including participation in a criminal organization, forgery, facilitating illegal entry and exit from the country, illegal possession of travel documents, and violations of immigration and narcotics laws. The 21 individuals found in the apartments face charges of illegal residence. Those detained were brought before the competent prosecutor.
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Paul Antonopoulos
Paul Antonopoulos writes on Greek and international current affairs for Greek City Times, with a focus on Turkey, Cyprus, and the wider region.