The “Greek Escobar” and the four other suspects remained at the offices of the Piraeus Prosecutor’s Office for more than five hours in connection with the case involving a massive cocaine shipment.

Criminal charges were brought against them for forming and leading a criminal organization, drug trafficking, and money laundering. They were then taken before the investigating judge and at 14:15 left the Piraeus courthouse under heavy security. According to information, they were granted a deadline to give their formal statements next Thursday.

According to the case file, the drug ship— a fishing vessel of Greek interests flying the Polish flag—had begun its journey days earlier from Nea Michaniona. It reached Latin America, loaded an enormous quantity of cocaine, and set off back toward Europe, with its final destination unknown.

Its course was intercepted in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Venezuela, following a coordinated operation by the DEA and the Greek anti-narcotics unit, with the assistance of the French Navy. The vessel was towed and has been docked since Monday afternoon at a port in Martinique, where the precise weighing of the cargo will take place. The shipment is estimated to exceed four tons.