Eighteen people have been arrested in Greece as part of an international investigation into people smuggling. Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA) was involved in the operation, and those arrested – all men aged between 18 and 23 – were held after a series of raids in Crete on Friday. NCA investigators believe the suspects, including Syrian, Afghan, Pakistani, Egyptian and Greek nationals, are part of an organised crime group that has facilitated the smuggling of people seeking to leave Greece illegally and travel to northern Europe. “This NCA’s work in partnership with Greek authorities continues to produce important results. Our close collaboration and intelligence sharing is vital to our ability to protect life and disrupt the criminals making money from people’s misery.

Source: The Guardian March 04, 2017 14:03 UTC