On Friday, policemen of the Sub-Directorate of File and Identity Searches of the Attica Security Directorate proceeded to the arrest of a foreign man, who is a leading member of an international oil smuggling ring, in the area of ​​Varkiza.

According to EL.AS, a red notice had been issued against the arrested person by Interpol, while the illegal financial benefit that the organization had from the smuggling of petroleum products is estimated to exceed 21 billion dollars.

As the police statement states, “this organization, as the owner of tankers, under the cover of legitimate shipping companies, loaded oil products from Latin American ports and achieved their appropriation during their transport, using tricks.”

In detail, the announcement of EL.AS

Yesterday, Friday, March 29, 2024, following thorough investigations, in the area of ​​Varkiza, a foreigner, against whom an arrest warrant was pending for participation in a criminal organization, transnational in nature, based in of Latin America.

As stated in a statement by ELA, according to the red notice issued by INTERPOL and with information from foreign Authorities, the foreigner was a leading member of the organization, which was active in the smuggling of petroleum products internationally.

The organization in question, as the owner of tankers, under the cover of legitimate shipping companies, loaded oil products from Latin American ports and achieved their appropriation during their transport, using tricks.

In particular, they procured satellite relay and identification devices from decommissioned ships in Asian ports, placed them on their tankers, and deactivated them during transport, managing to deceive charterers.

The organization’s illegal financial gain is estimated to exceed US$21 billion, harming both charterers and their governments.

The arrested person was taken to the competent prosecuting authority.