Prosecuting authority proposes acquittal of three defendants in 11.7 kilogramme cocaine case in Heraklion
The drug courier withdrew his original statement, overturning the case against three men for cocaine trafficking in Crete.
Retraction of statement disrupts cocaine trial in Crete
The drug courier retracted his original statement — this is the critical development that led to a prosecuting authority's proposal to drop charges against all three defendants in a cocaine trafficking case in Crete, according to Dikastiko.gr.
The man who transported the drugs denied having any communication with the defendant originally from Zoniania, whom he had initially linked to receiving the cocaine. This reversal undermined the basis of the accusation and gave impetus to the prosecuting authority's proposal for acquittal.
Three in custody since 8 September
Three men, aged 60, 62 and 63, were remanded in custody on 8 September, facing charges of membership of a criminal organisation and cocaine trafficking. The investigation by the Organised Crime Investigation Unit of Crete had begun at least from June.
According to the police's initial assessment, it was a group with an organised structure and a specific division of roles, which was alleged to be active in the import and wholesale distribution of large quantities of drugs.
11 kilogrammes and 736 grammes hidden in vehicle compartment
The police operation was carried out with the assistance of EKAM Crete and OPKE Heraklion. Officers located and immobilised the suspected vehicle in an area of Heraklion. During the search, ten vacuum-sealed packages were discovered hidden in a specially constructed compartment of the vehicle. The total weight of the cocaine amounted to 11 kilogrammes and 736 grammes.
The 63-year-old driver was arrested at the scene. Two other men were located later in Attica.
Searches of residences — weapons and money seized
Searches of residences and other premises followed, during which, according to the Hellenic Police, quantities of cannabis, small amounts of cocaine, weapons, precision scales, electronic devices and money were seized.
The police had estimated that the expected financial gain from the distribution of the seized cocaine would exceed €410,000. However, the retraction of the courier's statement fundamentally changed the circumstances of the case, opening the way for the prosecuting authority's proposal to drop charges against the three defendants.
Source: Dikastiko.gr