Archive · 15 Dec 2025
Greece Arrests Five in Cocaine Trafficking Operation
Greek police have arrested five people suspected of being part of a group that was trying to smuggle a lot of cocaine from Venezuela to Europe.
The cocaine was on a fishing boat that started its journey from Greece.
The boat was going to pick up the drugs near Venezuela.
French authorities also arrested five more people on the boat.
The boat is being taken to a French port with the help of the French Navy.
Greece is working with the U.S. to stop drug trafficking because Europe is a big market for cocaine.
The owner of the boat is being investigated because he has been in trouble for drug crimes before.
Greek police arrested five suspects in a cocaine trafficking operation involving a Greek-operated fishing vessel.
The vessel, which set sail from Thessaloniki, is believed to have loaded up to seven tonnes of cocaine off Venezuela.
French authorities arrested five more people on board the vessel, which is being escorted to a French port by the French Navy.
The investigation was conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Greece has launched a probe into the vessel's owner, who has a criminal record related to drug offences.
- Who
- Five suspected members of an international crime ring and five people on board the vessel
- What
- Arrests for trafficking an estimated seven tonnes of cocaine
- When
- Arrests made on December 15, 2023
- Where
- Various parts of Greece and on a Greek-operated fishing vessel
- Why
- To disrupt an international drug trafficking operation
- Arrested Individuals
- 5
- Estimated Cocaine
- 7 tonnes
- Ship Origin
- Thessaloniki, Greece
- Ship Destination
- Unknown (likely Europe)
- Investigation Partners
- U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration
- Ship Escort
- French Navy
- Vessel Owner Status
- Under investigation (criminal record for drug offences)