The police announced on Wednesday that the suspects were arrested following a months-long investigation. The police officer, who was allegedly taking part in the illegal activities, was suspended pending an investigation. Among the group, at least two are considered the heads of the networks.
 
Police says the smugglers allegedly picked up the refugees in the Evros border region with Turkey, transporting them to Athens or the northern city of Thessaloniki. One group is accused of having transported about 400 people between December 2015 and April 2016, and the second about 200 people between September and May.
 
The policeman was serving in Evros and is accused of providing information on police deployments there to the chief of the second smuggling ring.