Major crackdown at Greece’s largest commercial port, six employees at the Port of Piraeus have been remanded in custody following their arrest on suspicion of involvement in an international cocaine smuggling network. The port workers, employed by a private cargo handling company, were taken into custody earlier this week and face charges that include participation in a criminal organisation since at least 2024.

Details of the Investigation

The investigation was initiated based on a tip-off from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and involved meticulous monitoring of communications among the suspects. Authorities allege that the traffickers concealed cocaine within refrigerated shipping containers that were loaded with bananas from Ecuador.

The operation is believed to have been orchestrated by an Albanian criminal group, which exploited port employees’ access and knowledge of cargo handling procedures to facilitate the smuggling. During the raid, police also seized three firearms and ammunition.

Legal Proceedings and Reactions

Seven suspects appeared before a prosecutor, with six of them subsequently detained while one was released. Defence lawyer Nikos Aletras criticised the process, claiming that the preliminary inquiry was conducted hastily and describing the charges as excessive.

Broader Context

This case marks the third investigation since 2023 involving port personnel and drug trafficking at the Piraeus port. The trend of increasing cocaine production in South America has contributed to Europe becoming a major transit and consumption region, with authorities recording record drug seizure levels since 2017.

The arrest underscores the ongoing efforts by authorities to combat drug trafficking through maritime ports and highlights the continued threat posed by organised crime networks operating from South America to Europe. The investigation remains ongoing, and further developments are anticipated as legal proceedings unfold.