Ten arrested in Mylopatamos for drugs, subsidy fraud and livestock theft
Police arrested 10 people in Mylopatamos Municipality following a months-long investigation into organised crime. Officers seized 995 grammes of cannabis, 18 mobile phones and €1,850.
Organised crime in Mylopatamos: arrests for drugs and livestock subsidy fraud
Ten people were arrested in Mylopatamos Municipality during a major police operation carried out on 19 September 2026, according to documentonews.gr. They comprise 8 Greeks and 2 foreign nationals, including members of the same family.
The operation resulted from a months-long investigation by the Narcotics Prosecution Department of the Crime Prosecution and Investigation Directorate in Rethymno. The operation involved police officers from the Police Operations Departments of Mylopatamos and Rethymno, the Special Counter-Terrorism Suppression Unit of Crete, and the Crime Prevention and Suppression Teams of Rethymno and Heraklion.
According to a police announcement, the Greek defendants had established an organised crime network that engaged in fraud related to livestock subsidies and drug trafficking. The illegal proceeds were used, according to the preliminary investigation, to purchase moveable and immoveable property.
Cannabis plantation near a sheep enclosure
During searches of residences, sheep enclosures and other locations, a cannabis plantation containing 11 cannabis seedlings up to three metres in height was discovered in a specially adapted space near a sheep enclosure. Two foreign nationals residing illegally in the country and in possession of cannabis were also found there.
In total, 995 grammes of cannabis, €1,850 in cash proceeds of criminal activity, three knives, two scales and 18 mobile telephones were seized. Seven light commercial vehicles, one passenger car and one piece of construction equipment were also confiscated, along with numerous invoices and receipts.
False animal declarations and subsidy fraud
An inspection of the sheep enclosures revealed that the number of goats and sheep was lower than the number stated in livestock farming declarations. In a check carried out on 30 July 2026, a member of the network who did not own his own flock falsely presented goats and sheep transferred from another member's flock in order to unlawfully obtain subsidies.
Additionally, members of the network were identified for causing damage to olive trees and construction equipment belonging to a third party, as well as for the theft of construction equipment — offences that occurred in June 2026 and on 13 September 2026 respectively.
The arrested individuals face charges of forming an organised crime network, fraud related to livestock subsidies, violations of legislation on drugs, weapons and foreign nationals, tax evasion, damage to others' property, theft and violations of the Police Order on livestock theft. The preliminary investigation is being conducted by the Narcotics Prosecution Department in Rethymno.
Source: Google News GR — Crime (el)