Coast guard officials, in coordination with Frontex, located four migrant boats heading for Greek territory in recent days, with a total of 143 irregular migrants subsequently transported to the small isle of Gavdos, south of Crete, and the eastern Aegean island of Samos.

Three separate incidents occurred in the waters south of Gavdos and Crete. In one instance, a Frontex vessel picked up 41 people (39 men, two women) and transported them to the harbor of Paleochora, on the southern coast of Chania (Hania) prefecture.

Another 42 third country nationals (38 men, three women, one minor) were intercepted and brought to the same port.

In a third instance, 42 men were located and transported with the assistance of the coast guard.

All of the foreign nationals were transported to a reception facility in Agia, Chania.

Authorities arrested an 18-year-old Sudanese man after he was reportedly identified by the undocumented migrants as the pilot who allegedly transported them from Tobruk, in eastern Libya, in exchange for a fixed fee per passenger.

Separately, on Wednesday morning, 18 foreign nationals (including women and minors) landed on the southern coast of Samos. Police later located them and transferred them to the island’s closed reception center.

Two Azerbaijani nationals, aged 49 and 39, were detained in the main town of Samos. The 49-year-old was identified as the smuggler, allegedly charging 3,000 euros per person, while the second man was accused of acting as an accomplice. Authorities seized mobile phones and 600 euros in cash.

Greek media in recent weeks report a renewed uptick in irregular arrivals via southern maritime routes, particularly around Gavdos and southern Crete—routes increasingly used as “alternatives” to the more heavily patrolled eastern Aegean. Smuggling networks often launch craft from eastern Libya, especially the Tobruk area, taking advantage of calmer spring weather.