Smuggling

The Maltese-flagged bulk carrier "Verila", owned by Bulgaria's Navigation Maritime Bulgare, has been cleared by Irish authorities following the discovery of around 300 kilograms of cocaine. The vessel is now set to resume operations from Foynes Port.

The police investigation into Sunday's Mafia-style execution of 44-year-old Vangelis Zambounis, a prominent underworld figure, in the Neos Kosmos suburb of Athens is reportedly focusing on the release of a mobster from prison 10 days ago, the rumored reversal of his business relations in recent months and his possible involvement in the war between Russian-speaking smugglers.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that 10 people wanted by six countries with Interpol red bulletins have been arrested in Istanbul in scope of the "CAGE-30" Operation.

The data for 2023 on the fight against smuggling at border gates and ports have been announced. The total value of smuggled tobacco, cigarettes, tobacco products and alcoholic beverages seized last year amounted to 1.2 billion Turkish Liras resulting in a tax loss of approximately 800 million liras.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya has announced the arrest of 80 smuggling organizers and the apprehension of 2,155 irregular migrants in a series of operations conducted across 27 provinces within the first four days of the new year.

Police detected a total of 24 migrants who entered Greece illegally from the Turkish border in two separate incidents between New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

A non-national migrant smuggler was arrested at the Kipoi border crossing after they found 18 migrants in a trailer attached to the truck he was driving.

Sri Lanka's police announced yesterday the arrests of nearly 15,000 people during a week-long military-backed anti-narcotics drive, a crackdown denounced by rights activists.

Police said their operation, code-named "Yuktiya" or "Justice," led to the seizure of almost 440 kilograms (970 pounds) of narcotics, including 272 kg of cannabis, 35 kg of hashish and nine kilograms of heroin.

Two men, aged 63 and 34, have been arrested in the southern Peloponnese city of Kalamata for the illicit possession and trafficking of drugs and weapons, authorities said on Monday.

The European Commission is expected to present its latest legislation on countering migrant smuggling in Brussels on Tuesday, which sets out a new "legal, operational and international cooperation framework."

European officials state they are concerned accused drug traffickers are using Turkey’s citizenship laws to evade trial in other countries