Athens and Alexandroupoli: Arrests in International Cocaine Ring

In an operation by the Hellenic Coast Guard, four members of an international criminal organization involved in importing large quantities of narcotics from Latin America were arrested in Athens and Alexandroupoli.

The arrested individuals, aged 57, 59, 52, and 56, face charges related to drug law violations and participation in a criminal organization.

The investigation began in 2023, following the discovery of 5,040 kilograms of cocaine at the Guayaquil port in Ecuador, concealed within a shipment of fishmeal. The operation was carried out with the assistance of the U.S. Embassy Service in Athens (H.S.I. – Homeland Security Investigations) and the Regional Narcotics Prosecution Teams (Π.Ο.ΔΙ.Ν.).

According to authorities, the recovery of the cocaine would have required a complex chemical process, indicating a high degree of organization within the ring. The anticipated financial benefit from the sale of the narcotics is estimated at tens of millions of euros.