Greek Police Seize Over 800 Kg Of Cocaine Hidden In Leather Shipments, 11 Arrested

Greek authorities have busted an international drug trafficking network that was smuggling large amounts of cocaine hidden inside leather sheets sent from Bolivia, police officials said on Friday.

The leather, treated with salt and soaked in cocaine, was shipped to Greece on container vessels.

After reaching the destination, it was moved to a lab set up by the gang in the Athens suburb of Pikermi, where the cocaine was extracted and prepared for distribution. Officers raided the property, searched the area for more evidence, and arrested suspects on the spot.

The investigation began months ago after a tip-off from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Greek police closely monitored the group before taking action.

A total of eleven people have been arrested so far, including individuals from Bolivia and Spain. Among those detained, at least one person is believed to have known how the smuggling method worked.

During the raid, police seized 300 packages containing a mixture of salt and cocaine. Authorities estimated that the total amount of cocaine in the laboratory was over 800 kilograms (1,764 pounds).

The suspects are expected to appear before a prosecutor on Friday to face charges. Police said this smuggling method shows that drug traffickers are changing how they move cocaine from South America to Europe, using smarter and less noticeable ways.

This is the second recent case in Greece involving drugs hidden in garments or fabrics. In late May, police dismantled another trafficking ring that was bringing in clothes soaked in liquid cocaine from Ecuador.

References: Reuters, greekcitytimes