One of the most serious corruption scandals in the public sector has come to light with the arrest of 13 customs officers at Mavromati in Thesprotia, following a months-long investigation by the Internal Affairs Service of Security Forces.

The operation was carried out in the early hours of Thursday, July 3, with the charges against those involved including bribery, extortion, participation in a criminal organization and breach of duty.

The ring appears to have developed systematic operations within the B’ Mavromati Customs, a key point for trade flows between Greece and Albania. The employees allegedly, on a case-by-case basis, skipped the required customs checks or offered favorable treatment in exchange for illicit financial gain.

The scandal has already sparked strong reactions both at a service and political level, as questions arise about the degree of control and oversight in critical public structures.

Nearly €500,000 in suspicious profits – Indications of money laundering
According to the asset-freeze order by the Authority for Combating Money Laundering published by Protothema.gr, the total illegal profit the network appears to have reaped from January 1, 2023 to July 4, 2025, amounts to at least €456,878.

This amount was calculated based on findings from the internal investigation as well as bank audits of the accounts of those involved. The Authority identified cash deposits and transfers of funds of unknown origin that did not match the declared income or financial activities of the individuals under scrutiny.

Based on these indications, there is suspicion that attempts were made to “launder” these proceeds by integrating them into legitimate economic activities or mixing them with clean assets.

Freezing of assets and bank accounts – The 14 employees under investigation
The Authority’s order provides for the immediate freezing of all assets – movable and immovable – of the 14 individuals named, including bank accounts, safety deposit boxes, investment products and other securities. Amounts related to salaries, pensions or living and legal defense expenses are exempted, under strict criteria.

The case, due to its nature and scale, is also being closely monitored by the financial prosecutor, and new arrests or a widening of the circle of suspects cannot be ruled out.

As evidenced by the order itself, the structure of the ring resembles a well-organized criminal organization, with distinct roles and specific practices for concealing the illegal proceeds.