Popular media attention has turned to shipowner/businessman Manos Giannousakis following the Coast Guard’s seizure of yet another 987 kilograms of heroin in as many weeks in search of the area of Koropi, eastern Attica yesterday. This brings the tally to over two tons of heroin making the haul the largest ever seizure of heroin noted in Europe. Mr. Giannousakis leads the list of arrests that have been made in connection to the drug bust with many of his family members embroiled.

Mr. Giannousakis enjoyed a privileged upbringing as the son of Michael Giannousakis, petrol dealer and owner of the fabled Mike’s Irish Bar in Athens. As a 25-year-old, he made his first steps in business as the co-owner of the Haagen-Dazs chain that was started at the up-market Kefalari district in Kifissia in 1999. Mr. Giannousakis turned to his affluent father-in-law, diamond dealer Nikos Stamatiadis, for funding of the chain. The success of Haagen-Dazs lead to its opening in Kolonaki.

Later, the young businessman acquired a large chunk in the ownership of trendy bar restaurant named Klik, after the magazine owned by publisher Aris Terzopoulos – also involved in the creation of the venue. Klik proved a formidable venture, however the deal between Mr. Terzopoulos and Mr. Giannousakis soured after two years due to Mr. Giannousakis’ involvement in gambling and specks of foul play in the running of the club.

Those who knew Mr. Giannousakis at the time speak of a low-profile businessman with few trusted friends. He was generous to staff members and reliable in his obligations towards them.

In 2003, Klik closed because Theoxenia Palace that housed it was renovated for the Olympic Games in hopes of drawing high-caliber tourists. Mr. Giannousakis moved the bar restaurant to a new nearby location on Kolokotroni St where it operated for seven days per week, organized glamorous events and turned from being a bar restaurant to a fully-fledged night club.

During that time, gangs visited the club offering protection, and ugly scenes ensued regarding who would be responsible for the club’s security. Slowly, Mr. Giannousakis became more involved with members of the underworld.

By 2006, Klik began to have problems and Mr. Giannousakis began his first dealings with business trips to Dubai looking for lucrative ventures and investors abroad. His main area of interest was shipping. He bought a 1.5-million-euro luxury apartment in Dubai and drove around the Arab Emirates in a Porsche Panamera. In 2011, he created a company under the name of G-Tankers Ship Management COLLC in the Arab Emirates.

2011 was a crucial year for another reason also. Three years after his divorce from his first wife and two years after his second marriage, a strong blow was dealt when his father was killed violently by a bouncer who punched him to death. It is at that time that Mr. Giannousakis became tougher and more distant. Just a year later, in 2012, his 14-year-old son died in a scooter accident.

Despite the divorce from his first wife, Tina Stamatiadis, Mr. Giannousakis continues to maintain good relations with her and his mother-in-law. They live in the Filothei mansion he owns whereas he lives with his second wife in the affluent seaside Voula region.

Sakis Kehagioglou, Mr. Giannousakis’ lawyer, continues to maintain that his client is innocent of the drug charges and that the truth will come to light soon.

In younger, happier times…

His first wife, Tina Stamatiadis, who he met when they were both still at school…

His father-in-law, Nikos Stamatiadis, who built his own fortune as a diamond dealer in Cameroon…

The company in the Arab emirates…

The stash (or at least part of it)…