Booby-trapped bag with drugs in Kolonos: remote control and explosive material
Explosion at apartment block in Kolonos injured two police officers and two civilians. The Homicide Department of Greek Police is investigating a scenario of an ambush between drug traffickers.
Explosion in Kolonos: remote control, drugs and questions over recipient of bag
Remnants of an explosive device and narcotic substances were found at the scene of the explosion in Kolonos, which injured two police officers and two civilians, reports Ethnos based on information gathered by the Explosive Devices Neutralisation Unit.
The device appears to have consisted of an electric cooker hob or kitchen scales disc, a battery, a button and an unidentified explosive substance. According to authoritative sources, this device could accommodate up to 500 grams of explosive material, however specialists estimate that the quantity used was smaller — the explosion is characterised as low power, but sufficient to injure those in close proximity.
More recent information confirms that the explosive device was detonated by remote control. During investigations at the site, an electric detonator, batteries and a quantity of low-power explosive material were found, whilst the presence of packaging containing narcotic substances and precision scales inside the bag was also confirmed.
Timeline of the explosion
At 15:34 on Wednesday (21/10), the building manager at Platonic Academy reported to the Rapid Response Force after discovering a bag under the entrance stairs — which, as he established, contained narcotics. He informed one of the building owners at the same time and together they awaited police.
A mixed patrol from the Ampelokipoi and Exarcheia Security Department travelled to the site. The two civilians pointed out the bag to the police officers. The police officer who undertook the investigation opened the bag and established that it contained narcotic pills, "fixies" and precision scales. During the investigation he probably pressed the button — an element that proved to be part of the explosive device — and the explosion followed.
The vice-superintendent is hospitalised at the 401 Military Hospital with burns to his face, eyes, hands and feet. His condition is described as serious, but his life is not in danger. The other three injured were transferred with minor injuries to Evangelismos Hospital.
Scenario of an ambush between drug traffickers
Investigation of the case has been undertaken by the Homicide Department of Greek Police. The primary scenario being examined is that the explosion constituted an organised ambush against a specific individual, within the context of disputes between drug traffickers.
According to this version, the bag had been placed at the location as bait — the pretext of delivering drugs would activate the explosive mechanism against the recipient. The presence of actual narcotic substances and precision scales inside the bag is a key element of the investigation that reinforces this hypothesis.
A central question remains the identity of the recipient of the bag, who is still unknown. The authorities are investigating who placed the bag in the building, who the actual target was and whether the explosion was designed to strike a specific individual. In this context, testimony is being gathered from the area and material from security cameras is being analysed.
Source: Ethnos