Six employees at the port of Piraeus, Greece’s largest commercial harbour, were remanded in custody on Friday pending trial, following their arrest on suspicion of involvement in a cocaine smuggling network operating from Latin America.
The case marks the third investigation since 2023 resulting in the arrest of port personnel in connection with drug trafficking. The individuals, employed by a private firm managing cargo operations at the port, were taken into custody on Monday and formally charged on Friday. According to police, the charges include participation in an international criminal organisation since at least 2024. The suspects have denied the allegations.
According to the authorities, the cocaine was hidden in refrigerated shipping containers carrying bananas from Ecuador.
The investigation was initiated following a tip-off from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and involved the monitoring of the suspects’ communications.
Police officials stated that the smuggling operation was orchestrated by an Albanian criminal group, which allegedly utilised the port workers’ access and familiarity with cargo handling procedures to retrieve the concealed narcotics.
One of the suspects is believed to have maintained contact with drug purchasers in Albania. During the operation, three firearms and ammunition were also seized.
Seven suspects appeared before a prosecutor on Friday, with six subsequently detained and one released.
Defence lawyer Nikos Aletras, said the preliminary inquiry had been conducted hastily and described the charges as excessive.
Cocaine production in South America has increased significantly over the past decade. This trend has contributed to Europe’s emergence as both a major consumer market and a transit zone, with authorities across the continent recording record levels of drug seizures since 2017.
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