Chinese Smugglers Send Illegal Immigrants to Athens via Albania and Serbia
Greek police dismantled a Chinese smuggling ring that trafficked migrants through Albania and Serbia to Athens, profiting up to €2 million, with forged documents and plans to send them further into Europe.
Since January, the members of the organization had carried out or were preparing to carry out 203 transfers.
How the gang operated
All individuals involved held Chinese citizenship. The migrants traveled from China by flight, making intermediate stops in Albania and Serbia. From there, they crossed the borders sometimes by bus, sometimes by car, and occasionally even on foot.
Once they entered Greece, they boarded buses heading to Athens. There, a 47-year-old, who is believed to be the mastermind of the group, awaited them. He transported them directly to a “safe house” on Makrygianni Street in Moschato.
The police operation
The authorities conducted searches in apartments used by the gang in Moschato and Kallithea. Four people were arrested, and seven illegal immigrants were found.
Fake documents and payments
The members of the network prepared forged passports and visas, which they sold to the migrants they trafficked.
During the searches, dozens of such questionable documents were seized, allegedly issued by Chinese, Japanese, and Korean authorities, as well as from Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau. In addition, 1,000 euros in cash were found.
Each migrant paid between 5,000 and 10,000 euros to complete their transfer.
The next destinations
After their stay in Athens, most were further forwarded to Italy, Spain, and Belgium.
