In a stunning bust that has rocked Greece, three men tied to prominent families were arrested on March 21, 2025, for running a sophisticated drug trafficking ring in southeastern Attica. The suspects, including the son of a shipping magnate and a well-known doctor’s heir, allegedly peddled everything from pink cocaine to LSD, hiding their stash in juice cartons and oil bottles. With profits soaring past €200,000, the Hellenic Police swooped in, seizing kilos of drugs and shattering the illusion of privilege gone untarnished.
Tag: organized crime
A 57-year-old Queensland man faces charges for allegedly helping Sayit Erhan Akca, a suspected drug smuggler tied to the Dural caravan fake terror plot, flee Australia in 2023. Police say the escape involved a boat journey from Thursday Island to Phuket, part of a broader organized crime scheme linked to antisemitic hoaxes across Sydney.
In a dramatic takedown at Athens’ Eleftherios Venizelos Airport, Greek police arrested two men, aged 31 and 32, on March 18, 2025, uncovering a suitcase packed with over 11,000 pharmaceutical tablets and 3,000 narcotic pills. The suspects, believed to be part of an international drug ring, were caught in a sting operation as one awaited the other outside the terminal, exposing a sophisticated smuggling plot targeting Greece.
In his weekly address on March 16, 2025, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced the University of York’s plans to establish branches in Greece and celebrated Moody’s upgrade of Greece to investment grade. Highlighting government initiatives in health, justice, and education, he also addressed economic progress, urban redevelopment in Mati, and a commitment to legality, including crackdowns on crime and deceptive business practices.
The Hellenic Police dismantled three major criminal organizations in just 24 hours, targeting fuel smuggling, a Russian-speaking cigarette mafia, and a Turkish mafia linked to 11 murders. Greek authorities, led by the Ministry, celebrated the operation’s success, which included 61 arrests and €500,000 in cash seizures.
In Thessaloniki, Greece, a Turkish national was killed and another injured during a brazen daylight shooting near the city’s long-distance bus terminal. Authorities report that the attack involved another car intercepting their vehicle, leading to a fatal exchange of gunfire. The police’s organized crime unit is investigating, noting the rise in violent incidents linked to Turkish organized crime in the region.
Greek authorities have dismantled a major human trafficking ring operating in Athens, arresting 26 individuals involved in the sexual exploitation of women. The operation, led by the Directorate for Combating Organized Crime, uncovered a network that lured foreign women to Greece under false pretenses before forcing them into prostitution. Victims were held captive, subjected to violence, and coerced into sex work. Police seized cash, electronic devices, and fraudulent lease documents, while 24 women received assistance from specialized NGOs. The suspects face multiple charges, including human trafficking, kidnapping, and rape, as investigations continue.
In a major breakthrough, the Property Crimes Unit of the Organized Crime Division has finally solved the infamous 2008 Easter bank burglary in Kifisia. The sophisticated rififi method was used to steal over 4 million euros in money and valuables. Advanced forensic techniques and international cooperation were key in identifying the 53-year-old suspect, currently imprisoned in France, who has a history of similar crimes across Europe.
Two Albanian men were arrested in connection with a deadly shooting in Thracomacedones on December 15, 2024, which left one dead and another seriously injured. Police found an extensive arsenal of weapons, including Kalashnikov rifles, bulletproof vests, and €79,500 in cash, during searches of their homes in Nea Smyrni and Peristeri. The suspects face multiple charges, including manslaughter, organized crime, and drug trafficking.
A well-known Greek actor has been linked to the ongoing investigation into a protection racket operating out of Syngrou Avenue. Captured on security cameras visiting the ring’s headquarters, the actor denied involvement, claiming his connection to the implicated company was purely professional. This revelation adds a new dimension to the high-profile case, which has already exposed ties between the criminal network and prominent figures.
A 37-year-old award-winning policewoman from the Athens Juvenile Sub-Division has been implicated in a sprawling €85 million protection racket involving brothels, casinos, and clubs. Internal Affairs revealed the officer’s alleged role in providing crucial information to the criminal network, which included at least 11 police officers and 70 individuals. The arrests have sparked a broader investigation into corruption within law enforcement, with authorities vowing to uncover the full extent of the scandal.
Five Turkish nationals have been detained in Greece on charges of weapons and drug trafficking, as well as involvement in organized crime. While denying the accusations, two of the suspects claimed they had recently arrived to apply for political asylum.
Greek authorities arrested 17 suspected members of a criminal gang producing and distributing counterfeit alcoholic drinks during pre-Christmas raids across Athens. The operation uncovered over 2,000 liters of fake alcohol, firearms, fake labels, and cash, while targeting storage sites and distribution hubs. The gang reportedly supplied local businesses, earning illegal profits of at least 500,000 euros.
A shocking daylight shooting in Thracomacedones, Attica, left a 47-year-old man dead and a 44-year-old critically injured, in what authorities suspect to be a mafia-related account settling. The victim, linked to Greece’s underworld, was ambushed by gunmen using a stolen vehicle, highlighting ongoing challenges with organized crime in the country.
Eight Turkish nationals have been charged with serious felonies, including weapons and drug trafficking, following their alleged involvement in organized crime activities in Greece. The arrests, part of a broader investigation into the Turkish mafia’s operations, are linked to a deadly gangland-style shootout in Glyfada earlier this week
Greek authorities have launched a major crackdown on the Turkish mafia, resulting in eight arrests, the seizure of 49 weapons, and additional charges being filed against eight individuals. The operation, targeting criminal networks involved in drug and arms trafficking and illegal migration, follows a series of violent incidents, including a fatal shooting in Ano Glyfada. Police are investigating links to other recent crimes as they work to dismantle five major Turkish criminal organisations operating in Greece and across Europe.
Greek police have dismantled an art forgery ring in Thessaloniki, uncovering dozens of counterfeit paintings allegedly sold at European auction houses. The operation led to the questioning of three suspects and the seizure of forged artworks from a workshop near Aghia Sophia. Authorities are continuing their investigation.
Greek authorities have dismantled a criminal network trafficking Colombian women into Greece, where they were forced into sex work at strip clubs and apartments. The operation, active since 2019, led to the arrest of the ringleader and eight members. 29 victims have been rescued and provided with support, with two additional suspects still at large. The investigation was sparked by the testimony of one victim, leading to raids on the suspects’ properties and the seizure of cash, weapons, and documents.
A significant trial has begun in Athens concerning the mysterious deaths of 32 elderly residents at a private nursing home on Crete. The case involves charges of organized crime and intentional homicide against six individuals, including the facility’s owner and two doctors. With grave allegations and over 140 witnesses, the trial is expected to be lengthy and complex, casting a spotlight on the dire conditions reported at the Agia Skepi home.
Greek police seized explosives and weapons in an Athens apartment building, raising concerns about potential organized crime or extremist activity. This raid follows a similar operation two weeks prior, and authorities are investigating possible connections.