In a string of high-profile seizures, Greece’s Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) has revealed a remarkable and bizarre array of contraband intercepted at the country’s customs checkpoints. The findings—ranging from counterfeit art and luxury jewelry to undeclared cash, illicit pesticides, and even trays of baklava—paint a vivid picture of the creativity and audacity of smugglers targeting Greece’s borders.

Highlights from the Second Quarter of 2025

The AADE’s detailed report for April to June showcases extensive efforts by customs and sniffer dog teams across key entry points—from airports to land borders—to clamp down on illegal trade and trafficking.

Among the most eye-catching discoveries:

• Cigarettes disguised as toothpaste: Customs at Eleftherios Venizelos Airport seized 400,000 cigarettes falsely declared as Thai toothpaste, with a recipient company based in Athens.
• Counterfeit paintings from Peru, luxury jewelry with 127 carats of diamonds, and 60 packs of baklava were intercepted at various checkpoints.
• A staggering volume of undeclared cash: Over €250,000, nearly $90,000, and millions in other foreign currencies (yen, Turkish lira, dirhams) were found on passengers arriving from cities like Istanbul, New York, and Cairo.
• Drugs and narcotics: Cannabis from Canada, Thailand, and the US was uncovered in parcels, leading to multiple arrests. A total of 16.3 kg of cannabis and related products were seized.
• Smuggled tobacco products: Nearly 1.9 million cigarettes, 772 kg of tobacco, and 321 vaping devices were confiscated.
• Illegal pesticides and unlicensed pharmaceuticals: Large volumes were found hidden in luggage, parcels, and vehicles, including 70 kg of insecticide from Paris and unauthorized pesticides of Turkish origin.

Sniffer Dogs and Surveillance Deliver Results

Sniffer dogs like “Boika,” “Magnum,” “Bane,” and “Camora” were instrumental in uncovering contraband hidden in ingenious locations—inside car panels, abandoned suitcases, or mislabelled as household goods.

At the Kipoi and Evzoni border stations, dogs led officers to thousands of cigarettes and kilos of unlicensed tobacco. At Athens airport alone, 13 passengers were arrested with 320,000+ cigarettes and 65 kg of hookah tobacco hidden in luggage.

Counterfeit Luxury and Firearms

Officers also disrupted the illegal trade in fake designer goods, including:

• Over 38,000 counterfeit clothing items
• Fake branded bags and sunglasses from Turkey and Hong Kong

Weapons were also intercepted, with gun parts discovered in outbound parcels destined for the USA and France.

Fuel Fraud and Distillation

In Attica, inspectors posed as municipal officials to access a parking lot, where they found an illegal fuel tank with pumps for unauthorized tanker refueling.

Separately, distillation equipment and illicit alcohol were seized from businesses in Nea Peramos and Keramoti.

The Broader Picture

The report illustrates the scale and diversity of smuggling operations across Greece. In addition to high-value goods and narcotics, unusual seizures included:

• Five small gold bars from a vehicle arriving from Turkey
• Pharmaceutical preparations with no licensing
• 15 fur garments made from protected wild feline species, in violation of international wildlife trade conventions

In a symbolic close to the quarter, over 370 kg of seized narcotics (including cannabis, methamphetamine, and KHAT) were incinerated at a blast furnace in Distomo, Boeotia—demonstrating the authorities’ commitment to dismantling trafficking networks.

The latest findings from AADE showcase the increasingly creative tactics used by smugglers and the vigilance required to thwart them. From forged artwork to baklava used as a smuggling cover, Greek customs officers remain on high alert in the fight against illicit trade, armed with trained dogs, sharp instincts, and a growing arsenal of tools to protect the country’s borders and economy.