A Greek police officer has been arrested for allegedly aiding an international cocaine trafficking network by leaking confidential investigation details and helping cover up illicit activities. Two additional suspects are also in custody, according to Greek police.
The arrests stem from a months-long investigation initiated with intelligence provided by France and Europol. Authorities used data from encrypted communications on Sky ECC, a messaging platform previously utilized by criminal networks. Analysis of these communications by law enforcement in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands played a crucial role in identifying the suspects.
Europol has noted that platforms like Sky ECC and EncroChat, both now defunct, were widely used by organized crime groups. The dismantling of EncroChat has so far led to over 6,500 arrests, according to a Europol statement from June 2023.
The three suspects in Greece face charges including forming a criminal organization, drug trafficking, and bribery. The main suspect, a 42-year-old former member of the anti-narcotics unit, is accused of receiving monthly payments from the gang. Greek police reports suggest he maintained a luxurious lifestyle, allegedly funded by the criminal network involved in smuggling cocaine and cannabis into Greece.
In addition to the arrests, two other Greek police officers are under investigation for allegedly assisting the drug trafficking operation. Authorities are continuing their inquiries into the extent of the criminal network’s reach and the involvement of law enforcement personnel.
