Greek police said they that has hit a Greek-Albanian criminal organization that transported and distributed large amounts of marijuana in the Greek capital Athens and in the West Attica area.
According to Greek police, eight people, four Albanians and four Greeks, have been arrested while over half a ton of marijuana has been blocked. According to police data, the arrested individuals had at least since the beginning of 2017, created a criminal organization with a specific structure and distinct roles for narcotics trafficking purposes.
The group leader, a 27-year-old from Albania, took all decisions regarding drug delivery, the manner and location of the deposit, the sale price, and the collection of money from sales. In the oversight role were also the other two Albanian nationals aged 31 and 33, claimed the Greek police sources.Greek police considered that a characteristic feature of the organization's action was the fact that they had developed encrypted communications, money and names, constantly taking precautions and avoiding police controls, and occasionally changing drug distribution points.
The day before, Greek police blocked over 130 kilograms of marijuana in the border area near Albania. Greece is the second destination of Albanian marijuana after Italy. Greek police authorities in the Epirus region - a border area with Albania - announced a few days ago that more than 9.3 tons of marijuana were seized in this area during 2017. This amount is several times bigger compared to 2015, when about 600 kg of cannabis were blocked and in 2016, when about 3.5 tonnes were seized.
According to Greek police, the largest quantities of drugs were blocked by Greek police in February, March and June. Greek police data say more than 150 people, mostly Albanians have been detained during the police actions.