The “price list” and individuals involved in the criminal organization allegedly linked to illegal urban planning permits in the Halkidiki area—dismantled today following a large-scale operation by the Internal Affairs service “enforcers”—has been revealed by protothema.gr.

In the case concerning the urban planning departments of Propontida and Sithonia, a total of 21 individuals were arrested, including six employees, the directors of the departments, two relatives implicated in the case, 13 private individuals (engineers and surveyors who collaborated with the victims and the planning offices), and a former mayor who is already embroiled in legal disputes with the municipal authority over similar matters.

Over €1 million in cash seized
During the operation, more than €1 million in cash was found and confiscated. According to protothema.gr, members of the criminal organization demanded and received sums ranging from hundreds to thousands of euros to carry out illegal actions and accommodate their “clients.”

Indicatively, exclusive information reveals that the organization members charged between €250 and €1,000 for the so-called “speeding fees” (or “grease fees”). The amounts increased significantly for the approval of illegal constructions or activities (such as surveying), starting from €1,000 and reaching as much as €20,000.

Investigations reveal years-long activity
Reports show that the authorities’ investigation began last May and has already identified several cases involving the criminal organization. According to police sources, the racket had been operating for years with the same employees handling specific “tasks,” while only one new employee seems to have joined in recent years.

As for the €1 million uncovered during the investigations, €600,000 appears to belong to the six employees who were arrested.

Involvement of employees and private individuals
The arrested individuals, both urban planning staff and private individuals (engineers and architects), participated in architectural councils that determined whether or not to grant a permit based on the regulations applicable to each area.

How the criminal organization was exposed
The case came to light after a thorough investigation revealed the activities of the racket, which allegedly exploited the permit issuance process by offering “facilitations” for a fee. According to protothema.gr, the approvals for permits came from the responsible council, in which many of those arrested participated.

The criminal organization appeared to provide services ranging from approving urban planning permits that did not meet the requirements to fully handling illegal requests. In exchange for the right amount of money, its members ensured the swift processing of cases, bypassing bureaucratic and legal procedures.

Their operations involved collaboration with urban planners who allegedly tampered with documents or approved illegal requests, creating a network that fully exploited the urban planning system. Citizens who sought construction permits or wanted to “resolve” unauthorized building issues turned to the racket, paying significant sums for these services.