On Thursday, the Hellenic Police (ELAS) arrested 47 members of a cigarette smuggling ring, believed to be responsible for 90% of the illegal cigarette trafficking in Greece, according to a report by Kathimerini. The case file includes 106 individuals, with the leader of the organization reportedly having fled to Dubai.
According to Proto Thema, the cigarettes were produced at the large factory the organization operated in Halkida, as well as at a tobacco processing plant in Elaiona, Thiva. From there, the products were transported to warehouses in Thessaloniki, Aspropyrgos, and Menidi, before being distributed to buyers.
In 2023, Greeks smoked 3.5 billion illegal cigarettes, resulting in a revenue loss of €624 million for the Greek government.
In addition to the illegal cigarette trade, the organization is linked to threats, kidnappings, explosions, arson, and bodily harm as part of a “rivalry” with other criminal groups. It is also connected to beatings inside Korydallos prison (involving inmates from rival organizations), “protection” rackets for businesses, and the “moral instigation” of the murders of Greek Mafia members (G. Skaftouros, V. Roupetis, V. Zambounis).
After a lengthy investigation by the Organized Crime Unit, it was revealed that the leader of the organization was running a structured criminal group with distinct roles and a clear hierarchical structure, operating in Attica, Thessaloniki, and Mykonos.
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