Greek police seize nearly 1.2 tonnes of cocaine

·

Greek police say they seized nearly 1.2 tonnes of cocaine and arrested 8 alleged members of an international drug trafficking gang.

Almost all of the cocaine, 1.18 tons, was found during a Friday afternoon raid at a house in the western Greek port of Astakos, police spokesman Theodoros Chronopoulos said Saturday.

The drugs were carefully packaged in 1,040 nylon bags, ready to be distributed to intermediaries, Chronopoulos said.

Four more home raids in the Athens area yielded a small amount of cocaine, some cannabis, an AK-47 assault rifle and three pistols. Police also seized over 233,000 euros ($257,000) in cash and impounded five vehicles.

Major General Petros Tzeferis, head of the Attica Security Directorate, said the cocaine came from the Caribbean and was destined to countries in Europe and northwest Africa.

Tzeferis said the investigation took six months and Greek police were aided by colleagues in Albania and Spain, as well as the Drug Enforcement Administration office at the U.S. Embassy in Athens.

Chronopoulos said the drug gang’s leaders were two permanent residents of Spain, with several Albanian citizens as underlings. Police were looking for nine alleged members not yet under arrest.

Two of the people already detained were guarding the stash at the house in Astakos, Chronopoulos said. Three other suspects who allegedly rented a van to pick up the packaged cocaine also were arrested.

Tzeferis said that some of those arrested were already known to police. Four had prior arrests; one had been arrested five times, for armed robbery, attempted murder and drug offences.

Tzeferis added that the gang’s estimated earnings from drug dealing “exceed 50 million euros” ($55 million).

Sourced via AP.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Ethnic media: A necessary platform informing a multicultural Australia

Independent ethnic media like The Greek Herald play a vital role in Australia’s multicultural landscape, delivering culturally specific news.

From Kythera to Katoomba: Preserving the heritage of the Paragon Café

Founded in 1916 by Greek migrant Jack Simos, Katoomba’s Paragon Café is undergoing long-overdue heritage restoration after years of neglect.

Oakleigh Grammar students selected for prestigious Monash Scholars Program

Oakleigh Grammar is celebrating the selection of three Year 10 students into the prestigious Monash Scholars Program.

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia plans revival of historic Mount Gambier church

A historic church in Mount Gambier, South Australia may soon be revived as a place of worship by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.

McDermott Aviation finalist in Australian awards amid Greek wildfire deployment

Australia’s heli-aviation operator, McDermott Aviation, has been announced finalist in two categories at the 2025 Australian Aviation Awards.

You May Also Like

South Australia’s Greek communities gather to celebrate Father’s Day

South Australia's Greek families made sure to get the gatherings going to honour the community's Fathers and Grandfathers.

Special send-off ceremony given to All Saints Grammar 2020 graduates

The All Saints Grammar 2020 graduates were given a special send-off this year by the principal and His Eminence Archbishop Makarios at the All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Belmore.

GCM dinner marks Greek National Day with song and dance

The Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) hosted its annual Greek National Day dinner dance at the historic Panarcadian Association Hall.