Greek authorities have apprehended a 64-year-old Vietnamese woman suspected of smuggling nearly 300 kilograms (660 pounds) of gold across the Vietnam-Cambodia border, according to Greek police officials on Wednesday.
The arrest follows a year-long international search initiated by an Interpol Red Notice requested by Vietnam, which alleges the woman was a central figure in an extensive smuggling operation.
The woman, detained at Athens International Airport on October 28, was living in Greece and has now been held on orders from a Greek prosecutor as officials await her extradition. Greek police report that she allegedly coordinated the illegal transport of gold bars under vehicles transporting ice, attempting to evade detection by utilizing unofficial crossing points devoid of customs oversight. Additionally, authorities believe the group took measures to remove any labels or identifying markers from the gold bars to avoid suspicion.
Police allege that the woman was aided in the operation by several accomplices, many of whom are her relatives. The smuggling scheme, Greek authorities said in a statement, involved moving the gold covertly across borders and through unmonitored points to avoid scrutiny.
Greek law enforcement is now working closely with Vietnamese authorities to facilitate her extradition and continue the investigation.
(Source: Reuters)