Crete: 16 people facing charges for drug trafficking
Sixteen people are accused of involvement in two organised groups that distributed cocaine and cannabis in the municipalities of Heraklion and Malevizi, following a wide-ranging operation by police.
Crete: 16 people facing charges for drug trafficking
Sixteen people are facing serious charges following the dismantling of two groups that were active in the distribution of substances in areas of Crete. The operation was carried out yesterday as part of a major investigation by the prosecuting authorities.
The arrested individuals are alleged to be involved in the distribution of cocaine and cannabis in the municipalities of Heraklion and Malevizi. They face charges of forming and directing a criminal organisation, drug trafficking and violation of weapons legislation.
Those involved requested and were granted an adjournment to respond at different dates over the coming days, depending on their position within the group's hierarchy. Some less serious offences that were separated from the main case file were referred to the regular court.
The part of the case concerning irregularities in OPEKEPE subsidies was dealt with separately. Defence counsel Dionysis Verras argued that the investigation is based exclusively on intercepted telephone communications, speaking of a "witch hunt".
Nikos Steiakakis, who represents four of the defendants, stressed that they are waiting to receive the case file so they can establish the degree of involvement of each of his clients. On the other hand, lawyer Giorgos Kokosalis characterised the charges as "excessive", expressing the belief that they will collapse in court.
Source: Η Εφημερίδα των Συντακτών
Source: Google News CY — Crime (el)