Samos: 17-year-old smuggler arrested after dramatic chase – Transported 30 migrants

A smuggler and 30 migrants were arrested by the Coast Guard following a chase on Friday (22/11) in Samos.

It all began when a Coast Guard patrol boat spotted a speedboat carrying migrants, moving at high speed from the Turkish coast toward the northeastern shores of Samos.

The smuggler performed dangerous maneuvers, prompting the Coast Guard to use visual and audio signals, which the speedboat operator ignored.

A pursuit ensued, during which the operator of the speedboat attempted to ram the Coast Guard vessel.

Eventually, the speedboat was immobilized, and the Coast Guard crew safely rescued the 30 migrants onboard (six men, five women, and 19 minors) and transported them to Vathy, Samos. They were later taken to a reception facility.

An investigation is being conducted by the Samos Port Authority, and the 17-year-old foreign operator of the speedboat was identified by the other passengers as their smuggler and subsequently arrested.

The speedboat and a mobile phone were confiscated by the Coast Guard.

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