Arrest of Greek police officer for leaking information to cocaine smuggling ring
A Greek police officer, a former anti-narcotics unit executive, has been arrested and accused of passing confidential information to an international cocaine trafficking network.
Arrest of Greek police officer for leaking information to cocaine smuggling ring
A 42-year-old former officer of the Greek police, who served in the drug-fighting unit, was arrested on the charge that he provided confidential information to an international cocaine trafficking ring and helped conceal criminal activities.
The arrest was carried out as part of an operation organised following a lengthy investigation, which began based on information transmitted from France and Europol. Three individuals in total were detained, as announced by Greek police.
The analysis of encrypted communications via the Sky ECC message exchange platform, which was carried out by the authorities of France, Belgium and the Netherlands in previous years, contributed decisively to the conducting of arrests in Greece, according to a police official.
Europol has emphasised that platforms such as Sky ECC and EncroChat — both now defunct — were preferred tools for criminal organisations that wished to conceal their conversations and plans. In June 2023, Europol had announced that the dismantling of EncroChat had led to more than 6,500 arrests.
The charges facing the three detainees in Greece include the formation of a criminal organisation, drug trafficking and bribery. According to police, the principal suspect received monthly payments from the ring. Members of the organisation imported cocaine and cannabis into the country.
Witnesses reported that the police officer lived a luxurious life thanks to the illegal money he received. In addition, the force is conducting an investigation against two further officers, who are alleged to have provided assistance to the criminal network.
Source: The National Herald
Source: The National Herald