Five Turkish nationals arrested by Greek Police’s (EL.AS) major crimes unit last week north of Athens on Monday were remanded in custody after providing lengthy testimony to an investigating magistrate.

The five suspects face felony drug smuggling and weapons running charges, with authorities accusing them of being members of a major crime gang based in Turkey that coordinates illegal activities – including migrant trafficking – in Greece and Spain.

They were arrested at a high-end villa in the resort town of Oropos, some 55 kilometers north of Athens.

According to reports, the suspects denied all the charges against them and maintained that the cash found in their possession was from legal business activities in Turkey. They also maintained that the luxury properties in the possession were purchased via the “golden visa” scheme provided by the Greek state in exchange for temporary residency status for eligible foreign nationals.

Moreover, they pointed to the fact they have petitioned and received political asylum in Greece. Media reports have the five claiming political persecution – supposedly for being “Gulenists” – in Turkey.

Finally, they said nearly 35 grams of hashish found in their residence were for personal use.