Greece dismantles gang trafficking drugs from Europe to Israel on yachts

Greek officers of Hellenic Coast Guard are seen on a Greek Coast Guard boat following a rescue mission near the Greek island from Samos on 13 November 2019 [ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP via Getty Images]

Greece, with assistance from Israel, has arrested eight foreign nationals, dismantling a criminal ring that used yachts to traffic drugs from Europe to Israel, police said on Wednesday, Reuters reports.

The suspects, mainly from Israel and Ukraine, were arrested on Monday in central Greece and appeared before a prosecutor on Wednesday, police said. Drug authorities are searching for more group members.

Among those detained was a 44-year-old Israeli man who authorities believe was the leader of the gang, a police official said on condition of anonymity.

Police found evidence that the drugs supplied from European countries, potentially from the Netherlands and Germany, were hidden in trailers that travelled through Bulgaria to Greece. They were later loaded on yachts destined for Israel.

About 130 kg (287 lb) of the psychedelic drug MDMA, ketamine and cannabis were confiscated, police said. The illegal profits of the criminal ring are currently estimated at 2.5 million Euros ($2.76 million).

READ: Palestinian police accuse Israel of allowing drugs to enter Gaza Strip

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