The authorities have dismantled a well-organised drug-trafficking ring, which used a florist’s in Artemida as a ‘front’. In a large-scale operation by the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) and the Greek Police, a total of 84 kilograms of cocaine was seized, which had arrived in Greece from Bogotá, Colombia.
The operation began when inspectors from the DEOS team of the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE), acting on information from Greece and abroad, identified a consignment of 80 crates of roses. The shipment was destined for this particular florist’s in Artemida. With the assistance of a specially trained sniffer dog, it was discovered that in 15 of the 80 crates, the flowers had artificial stems, inside which the cocaine had been carefully concealed.
The arrests at Artemida’s florist’s shop
During the raid on the local shop, the authorities arrested four people. According to a statement from the authorities, those arrested were preparing to collect the drugs in order to transport them to a specially equipped facility for further processing.
The armoury at Marathon and the armaments
The investigation continued in Marathon with the assistance of EKM and the Directorate for Combating Organised Crime (DAOE). A fully equipped drug-processing facility was discovered at a house in the area. Two further individuals were arrested there: a foreign national – who is said to have come to the attention of the authorities in the past in connection with a murder case – and his son.
A further two kilograms of cocaine were found on the premises of the house in Marathon, along with a gun, which had been buried in the garden.
Searches are currently underway
In total, the quantity of cocaine seized during the operation amounted to 84 kilograms, whilst a luxury car was also seized. According to reports, the authorities are searching for two further individuals believed to be involved in the ring: a man and a woman, who is said to be the manager of the florist’s in Artemida. A case file has been compiled in relation to the case, which is expected to be forwarded to the relevant public prosecutor.
