A police operation has uncovered and seized 271 kilograms of cocaine, estimated to be worth more than €5.5 million, hidden in a container at the port of Thessaloniki.
The shipment arrived from Latin America and was bound for Aspropyrgos, Greece.
The operation was carried out on the basis of information received from the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) and passed on to the Greek authorities. Subsequently, the Organised Crime Agency, together with a number of other police and customs units, conducted an in-depth investigation.
On August 6, the container was identified and placed under surveillance by the Greek authorities during an operation known as a “controlled delivery,” which allowed the cargo to reach its destination in Aspropyrgos, where three members of the criminal organisation were subsequently arrested.
During a search of the container, a modified compartment was discovered containing 271,150 kilograms of cocaine, which was seized.
Investigations are continuing to identify other members of the criminal network in Greece and Latin America, including the leaders of the organisation.
