A 31-year-old man was caught red-handed at Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport on Tuesday afternoon, March 18, 2025, carrying a staggering “pharmacy” in his suitcase.
Greek police arrested him along with a 32-year-old accomplice, both suspected members of an international criminal network trafficking illegal pharmaceuticals and narcotics into Greece via air routes.
The dramatic arrests were carried out by officers from the Organized Crime Unit of the Greek Police, following a targeted operation by the Narcotics Division. Acting on intelligence and profiling techniques, authorities zeroed in on the 31-year-old suspect as he arrived from an unspecified foreign country. A search of his luggage revealed an astonishing haul: 11,680 tablets of various pharmaceutical drugs, 3,065 narcotic tablets of differing strengths, and 10 vials containing 20mg of a narcotic substance.
According to police reports, the suspect had concealed the illicit goods in his suitcase with the intent to hand them over to his 32-year-old partner, who was waiting outside the airport to facilitate further distribution. The accomplice was also apprehended on the spot.
A thorough search of both suspects and the luggage uncovered additional items, including two mobile phones and two tracking devices, suggesting a well-coordinated operation. In total, authorities confiscated:
– 11,680 pharmaceutical tablets,
– 3,065 narcotic tablets,
– 10 vials of a narcotic substance (20mg each),
– 2 mobile phones,
– 2 tracking devices.
The two men, aged 31 and 32, were promptly brought before the competent prosecutorial authority to face charges related to drug trafficking and organised crime. The arrests mark a significant victory for Greek law enforcement in their ongoing efforts to curb the influx of illegal substances into the country through its airports.
This case highlights the growing challenge of international drug smuggling networks exploiting air travel, a concern that continues to keep Greek authorities on high alert. Further investigations are underway to dismantle the broader criminal organisation behind this operation.
(Source: In.gr)