The Organized Crime Units have successfully dismantled a criminal organization involved in the illegal production and trafficking of tobacco products, as part of a joint operational action (JAD) at the European level, under the auspices of Europol and coordinated by Eurojust.

According to the investigation by the Joint Operational Group of the Law Enforcement Authorities from the participating countries, the members of the criminal organization were residing in various EU countries, including France, Poland, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Greece.

It was revealed that the leader of the group was a Greek national living in a neighboring country, from where he coordinated the activities of the organization.

To identify and apprehend the members of the organization, a European Investigation Order was issued by the French authorities, under which the joint operational action took place.

In Greece, investigations were carried out by the Directorate for the Combat of Organized Crime, specifically by the Subdirectorate for the Combat of Human Trafficking and Goods Smuggling, and the corresponding department of the Northern Greece Subdirectorate for Organized Crime.

During the coordinated police operation, three local suspects were arrested on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, in Attica and Thessaloniki, based on related European warrants, for being members of the transnational criminal organization.

During searches conducted at five residences and a business office in areas of Thessaloniki and Attica (Nikea, Aspropyrgos, Alimos, and Kallithea), the following items were found and seized:

• Mobile phones
• Electronic devices
• Handwritten notes
• Digital data extracted with the assistance of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations
• Storage media
• Cash amounting to €4,505

The arrested individuals were brought before the competent Appeals Prosecutor.