A Ukrainian was detained in Crete for transporting illegal migrants

On Crete 48-year-old citizen detained Ukrainewho is suspected of transporting illegal migrants from Turkey V Sitia on a sailing ship.

Greek authorities reported the suppression of a channel for the illegal transportation of migrants from Turkey on Crete. During the operation Εθνική Υπηρεσία Πληροφοριών (ΕΥΠ, Greek National Intelligence Service) And coast guard was detained 48-year-old citizen of Ukrainewho is suspected of organizing the transportation of four illegal migrants to the area Sitia.

The operation was the result of an exchange of information between ΕΥΠ And Διεύθυνση Ασφάλειας και Προστασίας Θαλασσίων Συνόρων (ΔΑΠΘΑΣ, Coast Guard Office of Maritime Border Security and Protection). Coordination was carried out by the port authorities Heraklion, Sitia And Agios Nikolaos under the leadership 7th Regional Coast Guard Command.

In the evening May 26, 2026 employees Heraklion Central Port Authority found four foreigners without legal travel documents attempting to board a ship bound for Piraeus. We are talking about two citizens Moroccoas well as men and women from Syria.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the four migrants, according to authorities, were disembarked early that morning at the port Sitia. Their journey has begun May 24 off the Turkish coast, from where they arrived on a sailing ship.

After that in Sitia additional checks were carried out. A sailing vessel flying the flag was discovered in the area Maltawhose captain turned out to be 48-year-old citizen of Ukraine. According to the investigation, four migrants identified him as the person who was transporting them. The man was detained.

During a search of the vessel, carried out in the presence of the prosecutor and customs officers, knives of various sizes were found. According to authorities, their presence is considered a violation of weapons laws.

The detainee must be brought to to the prosecutor of the court of first instance of Lasithi. Four foreigners will be transferred to appropriate accommodation structures. The investigation is ongoing.

Editorial comment

This story is important not only because of the fact of detention. She shows that migration route to Crete is becoming increasingly diverse: we are no longer talking only about overloaded boats from the south, but also about more organized schemes using sailing ships, flags of third countries and attempts to further move migrants through Greek ports.

Unlike chaotic landings on the shore, this scheme looks more thoughtful: delivery to the island, an attempt to board the ship before Piraeusfurther dissolution within the country. That is why participation ΕΥΠ and specialized units coast guard this is indicative. This is no longer just a rescue operation at sea, but a fight against the organized logistics of illegal migration.

It also deserves special attention that the suspect turned out to be a citizen Ukraine. This does not change the essence of the matter, but it shows how international the carrier market has become. In this area, nationality is usually secondary: money, routes and the ability to exploit the weaknesses of maritime control play a major role. Wonderful globalization, if you look at it from the criminal code.

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