Revelations continue by the Greek FBI regarding the criminal activities of the extortion ring, whose dismantling led law enforcement to launch an operation yesterday, Monday, December 16. As stated in the Hellenic Police’s announcement, a total of 39 individuals are included in the case file, of whom 25 have been arrested. The remaining 14 are still being sought, but most have already been identified.

The charges against the members of the ring are “heavy”: they face accusations of forming a criminal organization, arson, explosion, manufacturing and possessing explosives and incendiary materials, property damage, attempted homicide, abduction, and violations of laws on weapons and narcotics.

It is noted that the police authorities seized, among other things, drugs, five pistols, seven magazines – one of which was for a Kalashnikov – and €154,800.

December 17, 2024: Criminal Organization Dismantled by the Extortion Unit

The Actions of Imprisoned “Modi” and His Crew
It is recalled that the leader of the organization is reported to be a 45-year-old inmate at Diavata Prison, known as “Modi,” who had previously been involved in a drug trafficking case within Ioannina Prison. According to information, a young relative of the 45-year-old is also believed to have participated in the extortion ring as his trusted confidant.

The organization allegedly operated in the southern suburbs of Athens and was involved in extortion, arson, beatings, attempted homicides, drug trafficking, and even a shooting incident that took place last October on Syngrou Avenue.

The investigation is still ongoing, with authorities scrutinizing the arrested individuals’ mobile phones to uncover the full extent of the network’s activities.

The Police Announcement
“From the Extortion Unit of the Directorate for Combating Organized Crime, a criminal organization has been dismantled, whose members are implicated in cases of explosions, arson, bodily harm, attempted homicide, and violations of weapons and drug laws.

To put an end to their activities, on the morning of Monday, December 16, 2024, a coordinated operation was conducted by officers of the Extortion Unit, in cooperation with operational teams of the Directorate for Combating Organized Crime, in various areas of Southeastern Attica, Marathon, and Pangrati.

During the operation, 25 members of the criminal organization were located and arrested, while the case file additionally includes the leader – who is already incarcerated – and another 14 members, most of whom have been identified. They are facing charges, depending on the case, of criminal organization, arson, explosion, manufacturing and possessing explosive and incendiary materials, property damage, attempted homicide, abduction, and violations of weapons and drug laws.

Additionally, the case file includes 39 more individuals, the majority of whom are charged with violations of narcotics legislation.

The investigation revealed, based on the entirety of the pre-investigation material collected and laboratory examinations conducted by the Criminal Investigation Directorate, that the members of the criminal organization, at least since November 2023, had a structured and continuous operation aimed at the trafficking and distribution of narcotics in various areas of Southeastern Attica. At the same time, the core group also carried out “made-to-order” placements of improvised incendiary explosive devices, arson attacks, attempted homicides, abductions, and other serious offenses.

Regarding their mode of operation (modus operandi), the leader of the organization was a 44-year-old already incarcerated in a national correctional facility, who, along with two other members acting as lieutenants, had fully undertaken the smooth operation of the criminal organization, both in management and execution. Notably, the two lieutenants consistently stated that they acted on behalf of the leader.

To achieve their goals, the criminal organization operated through two sub-groups with distinct structures and actions.

The first subgroup formed the “hardcore” core of the organization, taking on both drug trafficking and the execution of serious felonies that posed significant risks to human lives and caused substantial material damage.

The second subgroup consisted of lower-ranked members who were exclusively and daily engaged in the trafficking of narcotics in various areas of Southeastern Attica, specifically Glyfada, Argyroupoli, Elliniko, Voula, Vouliagmeni, Vari, Alimos, Ilioupoli, Koropi, Lagonisi, and Anavyssos.

Throughout their operations, the members of the criminal organization took extensive counter-surveillance measures, avoiding mentioning each other’s names, speaking vaguely and in coded expressions, and preferring face-to-face meetings.

From the combined examination of the pre-investigation material, apart from drug trafficking, it was established that the criminal organization, with the participation of its members, was responsible for the following:

• An arson attack on a food establishment in November 2023 in Marousi.
• Placement of an Improvised Explosive Incendiary Device in June 2024 at the entrance of an apartment building in Peristeri.
• Abduction and bodily harm of an individual in August 2024 over a financial debt.
• Threats against correctional officers in August 2024.
• Placement of an Improvised Explosive Incendiary Device in August 2024 at a food establishment in Argyroupoli.
• Attempted homicide using a firearm and knife against two individuals in October 2024 in Nea Smyrni.

From searches conducted during the operation, the following were found and seized:

• €154,915
• 1 kilogram of cocaine
• 32,600 grams of cannabis
• 50 Ecstasy pills, 640 grams of MDMA
• 16 scales and 23 grinders
• 5 pistols and seven pistol magazines
• 2 airguns with magazines
• 1 bulletproof vest
• 1 war rifle magazine with 29 rounds
• 1 cartridge belt
• 17 knives
• 1 brass knuckle
• 1 metal rod
• 12 cars and 9 motorcycles
• Numerous nylon packaging materials
• 18 firecrackers, 37 smoke grenades, 62 fireworks
• 6 flares and 1 flare launcher
• 3 firework launchers
• Numerous anabolic substances
• Numerous mobile phones and SIM cards
• Various digital storage devices
• 3 high-value watches
• 1 laptop
• 110 British pounds
• 1 police cap
• 13 spray paint cans

The arrested individuals, who have previously been involved in similar offenses, were brought before the competent Prosecutor, while the investigation continues to fully uncover the extent of the criminal organization’s activities.”