A 21-year-old foreign national has been arrested by the Samos Port Authority charges linked to migrant smuggling.
The arrest occurred after a high-speed chase with a vessel spotted moving rapidly from the Turkish coast towards the southeastern shores of Samos.
The Hellenic Coast Guard dispatched a patrol boat to intercept the speeding vessel. After a pursuit, the boat was stopped, and the Coast Guard crew rescued 25 migrants, safely transporting them to the port of Pythagorio.
During the preliminary investigation, the Samos Port Authority detained the 21-year-old late Thursday. A 16-year-old foreign national was also arrested for facilitating illegal entry.
Authorities seized the vessel and three mobile phones during the operation.
The remaining 23 migrants (11 men, 5 women, and 7 minors) were transferred to a Closed Controlled Structure on Samos, according to a statement from the Coast Guard.