The Hellenic Police (EL.AS) arrested 16 doctors and pharmacists, members of two criminal organizations, for defrauding the National Organization for Healthcare Services Provision (EOPYY) of €3.5 million by distributing medications through fake prescriptions, according to a press release by EL.AS.
Among the 16 arrested, 4 are doctors from public health facilities in Attica and Boeotia, while the others are owners and employees of 8 pharmacies in Attica.
The suspects are accused of issuing fraudulent prescriptions using the Social Security Numbers (AMKA) of individuals who were either imprisoned, had left the country, or were uninsured.
The criminal network began operating in 2020, and its members used 3,516 Social Security Numbers (AMKA) to issue 90,186 prescriptions.
Among the drugs trafficked in Greece and abroad were narcotic and psychotropic substances, with some of the medications in short supply both in the Greek and international markets.
The arrested individuals face charges including participation in a criminal organization, money laundering from criminal activities, large-scale drug trafficking, and the sale of harmful pharmaceuticals.
Authorities also seized over 9,000 packages of illegally prescribed medications, including narcotics, €451,140, $10,000 USD, $8,000 AUD, two gold bars weighing a total of 1 kilogram, and 109 gold coins.
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