Crete: Settlement Continues as 228 Illegal Immigrants Rescued
Authorities arrested multiple smugglers transporting migrants near Crete amid ongoing rescue operations, highlighting persistent migration flows and costly human trafficking routes from Libya.
Smugglers transporting illegal immigrants were arrested during recent rescue operations south of Crete, revealing that migration flows to the area continue.
New rescue operations conducted in recent days south of Crete, near Gavdos and Kalo Limenes, led to the arrest of smugglers involved in the transportation of migrants. According to reports, 85 foreigners were located 26 nautical miles south of Gavdos, where a 27-year-old South Sudanese national was arrested, identified as the smuggler responsible for transporting them from Tobruk, Libya to Greece in exchange for payment.
The young man, charged with illegal entry, facilitating migrant transportation, and endangering others, was arrested while attempting to escape from the authorities. At the same time, two 20-year-olds, also South Sudanese nationals, were arrested for smuggling 44 foreigners in the maritime area near Kalo Limenes, having been identified by the rescued migrants as the organizers of their transport.
What is the rate charged by the smugglers?
According to testimonies, the group departed from Tobruk on the night of May 9, 2026, with each person paying amounts ranging from 13,000 to 14,000 Libyan dinars, approximately 1,900 euros. The preliminary investigation is being conducted by the Central Port Authority of Heraklion, which is closely monitoring the situation.
On the same day, the Coast Guard was informed of another boat with migrants in distress, 45 nautical miles southeast of Kalo Limenes. A patrol vessel of the Coast Guard rescued 43 foreigners, all males and minors, who were transferred to the port of Kalo Limenes before being taken to the port of Heraklion, accompanied by officers from the Special Missions Unit and the local police.
During the preliminary investigation, a 19-year-old South Sudanese national was identified as a smuggler and arrested, with information indicating that the rescued migrants began their journey from Tobruk, paying amounts ranging from 200,000 Egyptian guineas, or 3,200 euros, to 13,000 Libyan dinars.
Another operation took place in the afternoon when the Port Authority of Agia Galini received information about a boat carrying illegal immigrants 45 nautical miles southeast of Gavdos. A vessel from Frontex rushed to the area, locating the boat and rescuing 56 foreigners, who were transferred to the port of Agia Galini and then hosted in a facility in Rethymno. The preliminary inquiry for this case is being conducted by the Port Authority of Rethymno.
Source/Photo: neakriti.gr
