Livestock thefts in Lasithi: Criminal gang with 22-year-old leader, 320 goats and sheep, and €99,000 in illegal subsidies
Five arrests in Crete for an organised criminal gang involved in livestock thefts that operated for at least five years in Lasithi prefecture.
Livestock theft gang in Lasithi: 22-year-old leader, 320 animals and €99,000 fraud
Five people have been arrested in Lasithi prefecture following a months-long police investigation that uncovered an organised livestock theft gang — led by a 22-year-old — which operated systematically over at least the past five years. According to Ethnos, the investigation simultaneously established fraud involving illegal EU subsidies totalling €99,312.72.
Coordinated police operation
The gang's dismantling was carried out through a joint operation by the Organised Crime Counteraction Unit of Crete, the Lasithi Crime Counteraction Department, the Prosecution and Case Resolution Unit of Agios Nikolaos, as well as OPKE teams from the Heraklion Police Directorate.
During the operation, five Greek nationals aged 22, 23, 24, 28 and 50 were arrested. The case file also includes five other individuals for whom no arrest was announced.
Serious charges
Charges were filed against the defendants — on a case-by-case basis — for forming and joining a criminal organisation, professional and continuing livestock theft, consecutive aggravated thefts, firearms law violations, and subsidy fraud.
According to the investigation's findings, gang members had developed systematic operations: they selected folds and herds after first gathering information about their location and security measures, conducted surveillance and observation of the areas, and planned each "operation" with role assignments and counter-surveillance measures. They then transported the stolen animals by lorry to safe locations, where they sold them for substantial profit.
22-year-old leader
The 22-year-old, the youngest of those arrested, is identified as the gang's leader, who participated in planning, coordinating and organising activities, as well as in managing the stolen animals.
The investigation established the group's involvement in at least seven livestock theft cases, from which a total of over 320 goats and sheep were taken. Three cases of theft of goat and sheep bells were also established, with one of those involved reported as acting—depending on the case—alone or with other members.
Investigation findings
During searches of homes, folds and vehicles, 692 goat and sheep bells of various sizes were seized, five sheep ear tags that could not be accounted for, two hunting weapons confiscated due to improper storage, wooden shepherd's staffs, clothing items and an HV lorry, which was used as a means of committing the livestock thefts.
The investigations further revealed that the number of animals found at certain folds was significantly lower than the number of declared animals, whilst certain locations bore no operating licence plaques for animal folds.
€99,000 subsidy fraud
As part of the same investigation, a cross-check was conducted of OSDE declarations for the 2019–2025 period covering five of those involved. The data revealed strong indications of fictitious livestock capital and unlawful receipt of EU grants totalling €99,312.72.
The seized evidence will be forwarded to the competent Evidence Service of the Prosecution. A request has already been submitted for revocation of the licences for possession of the confiscated hunting weapons. The arrested individuals are being referred, with the case file formed against them, to the competent prosecutorial authority.
Source: Ethnos