A police officer and member of the MAT special forces were detained for selling drugs, with the former conducting his illegal activities from his patrol vehicle, the Internal Investigation Service of the Greek Police announced on Sunday.
Both of those arrested served in the Paleo Faliro Police Department. The 33-year-old main defendant served in the DIAS motorcycle police team until 2019, from which he left due to problematic behaviour and negligent performance of duties.
According to a law enforcement statement, a police officer involved in drug trafficking used precautionary measures: encrypted conversations and the use of online applications in communication.
At the same time, it was also established that he was selling drugs using an official car. 4 more people were detained.
A criminal case has been initiated against the detainees for violating the law on addictive substances, as well as for dereliction of duty.
The police officer has been involved in drug trafficking since at least October 2022 and dealt mainly in raw cannabis, which he purchased from other detainees while they were using their homes as storage areas, with the help of his comrades who were also arrested.
Regarding the involvement of an MAT officer in the case, it was established that he acquired drugs for his own use.
In particular, on Saturday afternoon, April 8, 2023, the specified police officer, while on a scheduled patrol service, informed his escort about the need for personal service and travel to the point to meet with a relative.
There, he got out of the service car and, after contact with another detainee, gave him a narcotic substance (marijuana) weighing 8 (eight) grams.
During subsequent searches of the houses involved in the case, the following were found and seized:
- 2 kilograms 536.2 grams of raw hemp,
- 3 cannabis graters,
- 3 precise weights
- 46 tablets and 11 vials of unknown liquid substances,
- 2 vacuum sealers and bag sealers,
- lots of nylon bags and 265 euros.
The persons arrested in the case initiated against them were brought to the competent body of the prosecutor’s office.
“The law is the law and it applies to everyone”
“We defend the great work of the Greek police and its contribution to Greek society, but we remain unforgiving towards those who are caught committing crimes. The law is the law and applies to everyone,” Citizens’ Protection Minister Takis Theodorikakos said in a tweet.
In addition to the constable, a MAT fighter who served in Paleo Faliro was also arrested.
Amid the recent arrest of another police officer accused of beating a passerby while under the influence of drugs, the trade in considerable quantities of marijuana is hitting another bottom.
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