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Greek police have dismantled a sprawling criminal network in Chania that involved not only hardened criminals but also businessmen, police officers, and even clergymen, authorities said Wednesday.
According to Kathimerini's Yiannis Souliotis, the investigation, which began in January 2025, exposed a web of drug and arms trafficking, extortion, and corruption stretching across Crete. Police say the ring moved at least 40 kilograms of cannabis, nine kilograms of cocaine, and two kilograms of heroin, generating an estimated €1.2 million, much of it laundered through legitimate businesses.
Authorities credit the operation to a combination of undercover work, phone surveillance, and targeted raids. In the initial arrest, a 36-year-old man’s home was found to contain drugs, weapons, and two bombs, one linked to the 2024 bombing of a police officer’s home.
The network’s leadership allegedly included a hotel and beach bar owner in Stavros, Chania, a local archimandrite, and a police officer from Rethymno, alongside a core group of experienced criminals. Investigators say at least four other officers may have had ties to the operation, which is still under review.
Some of the ring’s activities went beyond drugs and weapons. Authorities allege members influenced public affairs, including the illegal sale of church-owned land for €2 million and attempts to sway local clergy elections. Blackmail and bribery were reportedly used to secure documents and business deals, highlighting the group’s reach into civil and religious institutions.
Police have arrested 48 suspects so far, 16 of whom are already in custody. Investigators say the gang used a mix of legal businesses, point-of-sale systems, and instant money transfers to hide their earnings.
“This was a sophisticated organization that combined crime, corruption, and influence over public and religious affairs,” a police official said. “It shows the importance of persistent and coordinated investigation.”
The investigation also revealed the use of foreigners in street-level drug sales, while family networks handled the bulk of trafficking. Police believe the arrests and seizures mark a significant blow to organized crime on the island, though they caution that some connections, particularly among public officials, remain under investigation.
