In dislocation transnational criminal organization who trafficked drugs through Greece, the Narcotics Prosecution Sub-Directorate of the Attica Security Directorate, in cooperation with the Israeli authorities, proceeded.

The criminal organization was active in the supply, transport and importation and concealment of narcotic substances in Greek territory, and in their further transshipment on vessels bound for Israel.

In an organized police operation that took place on Monday, August 12 until the morning hours of Tuesday, August 13, 2024 in the area of ​​Volos, in collaboration with the Volos Narcotics Prosecution Department, under the coordination of the General Affairs Department of the Narcotics Prosecution Sub-Directorate, a total of -8- members were arrested of the organization.

It was preceded by a thorough investigation from which it emerged that the members had set up a multi-member criminal organization, with sustained and structured action and distinct roles, and trafficked narcotic substances with the aim of obtaining large sums of money.

The members of the organization procured narcotic substances from Western European countries, which they hid in mobile homes, with the aim of transporting and importing them into Greek territory. The narcotics were then transferred to a floating vessel, inside drums, with the final destination being Israel.

At the same time, the role of the members of the organization was specified as follows:

  • 44-year-old, leading member, had undertaken the coordination-planning of the illegal action, the recruitment of members, the finding of drugs and their transportation and delivery to Israel,
  • -3- members (34, 35 and 39 years old), were in charge of receiving the drugs in Greece and coordinating their transport to Israel, renting a boat and hiding the substances in it,
  • -4- members (37, 38, 38 and 39 years old), had undertaken the receipt of drugs abroad and their importation into Greece through Bulgaria, with caravans, in which they hid them,
  • unknown members, crew of a sailing vessel, were in charge of receiving the drugs in Greece and transporting them by sea to Israel.

From the searches carried out, among others, the following were found and seized:

  • -53- kilograms and -240- grams. drug MDMA,
  • -50- kilograms and -250- grams. ketamine,
  • -7- gr. cannabis,
  • -2,450- euros,
  • -3,460- Israeli shekels,
  • vehicle,
  • -2- caravans,
  • -13- mobile and
  • -14- drums.

The illegal financial benefit of the criminal organization, taking into account its professional infrastructure, continuous action and geographical spread, is estimated to exceed -2,500,000- euros.

Those arrested were taken to the competent prosecuting authority, while investigations into the identification and arrest of the remaining members continue.