The Greek “Baron” behind the cocaine shipment in the Atlantic
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The investigation by the Greek authorities continues, with the assistance of the U.S. DEA, following the detection of a vessel transporting an enormous quantity of cocaine to Europe.
- 15 Δεκεμβρίου 2025 11:17
A major international police operation is under way to dismantle a large cocaine trafficking ring operating from Latin America to Europe.
The case is being handled by the Narcotics Division of the Directorate for Combating Organized Crime, in cooperation with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
More specifically, a vessel of Greek interests originating from Nea Michaniona in Thessaloniki was identified after it had sailed to Latin America, loaded large quantities of cocaine, and was transporting them to Europe. At this stage, Greek authorities do not yet know the exact destination where the cargo was to be unloaded.
The ship was located by the French Navy, which immobilized it and carried out the operation.
A five-member crew was on board the vessel and has been arrested. At the same time, during a coordinated police operation in Greece, five more individuals were arrested in Katerini, Thebes, and Athens.
Among those arrested in Katerini was the alleged — according to all indications — “mastermind” of the operation, a figure well known to the authorities. He had previously been charged in the major “Africa1” case in 2004, which involved the transport of 5.5 tonnes of cocaine, and has since been released from prison.
According to information, the vessel has been towed from the Atlantic Ocean for the past two days by the French Navy, which is assisting in the case, so that it can be transferred to a port in France where the quantities of drugs can be officially measured.
Those arrested on board the vessel will be handed over to Greece.
Once the authorities receive confirmation of the quantities seized, official announcements from the Hellenic Police are expected.
The Release of the Alleged “Mastermind”
The alleged “mastermind,” as noted above, had initially been sentenced to life imprisonment. However, in 2011, the Five-Member Court of Appeal for Felonies in Piraeus overturned the life sentence, imposing a 22-year prison term instead, granting the mitigating factor of a previously lawful life.
In addition to his conviction for the 5.5 tonnes of cocaine, four more case files were opened against him, including charges related to money laundering through gambling slips.
