Greek authorities delivered a significant blow to a drug trafficking network in the wider Athens (Attica) region on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
Officers from the Directorate for Combating Organized Crime — often referred to as Greece’s “FBI” — arrested three men aged 59, 50, and 35 on suspicion of possession and trafficking large quantities of cocaine and cannabis.
Dramatic Arrest and High-Speed Chase
The operation unfolded in the afternoon of Holy Tuesday. Police first located and arrested the 35-year-old in an Athens neighborhood after he was found in possession of more than 10 kg of raw hydroponic cannabis (SKUNK).The suspect allegedly attempted to flee at high speed, running red lights, violating traffic signs, and endangering other drivers and pedestrians. He also physically resisted officers during the arrest.
Following his detention, authorities arrested the 59-year-old and 50-year-old suspects. Two of the men reportedly have prior criminal records related to similar offenses.
Massive Seizures Uncovered During Searches
Subsequent searches of a two-story residence, an apartment, a storage room, and surrounding areas yielded a major haul:
- Over 26 kg of cocaine (precisely 26.010,5 grams, packaged in 24 homemade nylon wraps)
- More than 351 kg of cannabis, including:
- Approximately 331 kg of raw hydroponic cannabis (SKUNK) in 298 packages
- About 31.6 kg of processed cannabis in chocolate form (315 packages)
- Precision scales
- Fake identity cards and driving licenses
- Seal matrices (for forging documents)
- A vehicle, 5 mobile phones, a CCTV camera system
- €31,620 in cash
The total street value and expected illegal profit from the seized narcotics is estimated at around €2.5 million.
Police Operation and Next Steps
The bust resulted from intelligence gathering, data cross-checking, and targeted surveillance by the Sub-Directorate for Drug Suppression. Authorities described it as a significant disruption to a local trafficking ring operating in Attica.The three suspects have been charged with narcotics possession and trafficking offenses. They were taken before the competent prosecutor for further proceedings.This latest operation highlights ongoing efforts by Greek police to combat organized drug networks in the capital region, especially ahead of the busy Easter period.
Broader Context of Drug Enforcement in Greece
Drug trafficking remains a priority for Greek law enforcement, with frequent large-scale seizures at ports, borders, and within urban areas. Operations like this often target mid-level distributors supplying local markets with cocaine and high-potency cannabis.
What do you think about the scale of this bust?
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