The arrest of a retired police officer and three private citizens allegedly involved in international drug and arms trafficking networks was made during an operation, officers of the Internal Affairs Agency.

According to the ELAS, before the operation, a complaint of illegal activities by a police officer was investigated, and evidence obtained from the analysis of data from encrypted mobile phone applications was used.

To this end, and by using special interrogation methods and developing cooperation with the Special Department of the Paris Court of First Instance against JUNALCO Organized Crime, the existence, in the years 2020 and 2021, of two transnational criminal drug trafficking networks, of which a then-active police officer was a member, was demonstrated.

From further evidence, the arrested persons and two other persons were identified, among others, as suspected of committing criminal acts in the fields of drugs and weapons.

What has emerged about the retired ELAS officer

Specifically, as regards the retired -now- retired -Officer of the ELAS, evidence emerged of active participation and involvement in the activities as well as information and information of two transnational criminal drug trafficking networks and in the mediation of illegal purchase and sale of weapons.

The above were brought to the attention of the competent Prosecutor, who brought criminal charges for – in some cases – the formation and membership of a criminal organisation, aggravated drug trafficking with an expected benefit of more than 75,000 euros, an aggravated case of illegal possession of weapons, violation of official secrecy, as well as repeated false certification, issuing relevant arrest warrants.

During the operation, a total of 41,365 euros, 6 mobile phones, 1 vehicle which was used as a means of committing drug trafficking, as well as a Service Police Identity Card with details of the retired police officer, which was declared lost by him, were found and seized from the possession of the arrested persons, as well as from the searches carried out in homes and vehicles.

The arrested persons were brought before the competent investigating authority.