9 Somalis were arrested – The safe houses and the tricks to avoid checks at the airport, with a “tariff” from 3,000 euros to 5,000 euros per person
A criminal organization was dismantled by the police, which was active in facilitating the illegal exit of foreigners from Greece to other European countries through the Athens airport, after previously supplying them with fake or genuine travel documents that had been issued in favor of another person, with a “tariff” of 3,000 euros up to 5,000 euros per person.
From the preliminary investigation, 16 cases of attempted exit of 19 migrant foreigners to other European countries were discovered, with the guidance and support of members of the ring.
9 Somalis, members of the criminal organization, were arrested while a 22-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man were identified and are wanted.
Against the 9 arrested Somalis (a 32-year-old, a 36-year-old, two 38-year-olds, a 42-year-old, a 45-year-old, a 46-year-old, a 54-year-old, a 60-year-old), a case file was filed – as the case may be – for establishing, joining and directing a criminal organization and violation of the Immigration and Social Integration Code.
How the circuit worked – The safe houses and tricks to avoid airport controls
According to ELAS, from the preliminary investigation it emerged that the defendants, at least since July, formed an operationally structured and continuous criminal organization, with the purpose of their activity in facilitating the illegal exit of foreigners from the country by air.
The members of the ring, after identifying foreigners who wished to leave for other European countries, initially arranged for their accommodation in “safe houses” apartments and then took them to shops for the supply of suitable clothes.
They were then supplied with fake travel documents or genuine documents issued in favor of another person, and having taken care of the rest of the travel preparations (issuance of boarding passes, booking tickets, etc.) accompanied them to Athens International Airport until they boarded aircraft flights to European destinations, guiding them through all stages to avoid police control.
In fact, in the cases where the trafficked person was a woman, they presented that she had mobility problems and used a wheelchair to transport her within the airport area.
The members of the organization had distinct roles
• Principal team members and coordinators were the 32-year-old and the 38-year-old. Their role was to identify and make agreements with people wishing to leave the country. At the same time, they arranged for the supply of the documents, while sometimes they also undertook the other stages of their transportation to the airport and to shops for the supply of clothes.
• The 60-year-old, the 46-year-old, the 36-year-old, the 42-year-old, as well as the 22-year-old and 32-year-old who were not arrested, had the basic responsibility of going to the airport and directing the foreigners to the premises of the Athens airport,
• The 38-year-old was driving the people to supply clothes, while he was tasked with the role of “driver” of the group,
• The 45-year-old managed the safe houses while,
• The 54-year-old had the role of collector-guarantor, who had a legitimate business in Athens.
Regarding the transfer of the money, the individuals would go to the 54-year-old’s shop, hand over the agreed amount and receive a receipt-certificate (paper). The amount was “released”, so that the organization could be paid, when the foreigner would successfully depart for the other European country, while he himself kept a relevant commission.
From the total searches of the members’ homes, the following were found and confiscated:
• The sum of 4,540 euros, 400 US dollars, 400 Swedish kroner and 400 Danish kroner,
• 21 mobile phones,
• 3 portable computers,
• Recorder,
• 20 passports, 6 residence permits, 10 Asylum Applicant Cards, 6 identity cards, 6 other documents and
• Handwritten notes.
In a search of the 2 “safe houses” of the group, 7 foreigners were identified, who lacked documents to legally stay in the country and for whom the process of administrative deportation was initiated.
It is noted that the research is carried out within the framework of Empact and Operational Action 2.2 “Eastmed”, which is implemented by Greece.
Three members of the organization have been arrested in the past for similar offences.
The arrested persons, with the case against them, were brought before the criminal prosecutor of Athens.
Source: Skai
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