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🇬🇷 Greece /Crime & Justice

Crete Family Gang Investigated for Subsidy Fraud and Drug Trafficking

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • A family gang in Crete is under investigation for allegedly receiving illegal subsidies from the Organization for the Compensation of Farmers (OPEKEPE).
  • The suspects allegedly faked livestock numbers by asking relatives and friends to bring sheep for inspections.
  • Authorities believe the gang was also involved in drug trafficking and used coded language for communications.

Crete, Greece – Authorities are investigating a family gang on the island of Crete for alleged involvement in illegal activities, including defrauding agricultural subsidy programs and drug trafficking. The investigation has revealed a complex network using coded language and deceptive practices.

I'm not well, man, I'll have a heart attack... They have me for inspection tomorrow and I just got a call to postpone, because I had relaxed... I learned this afternoon, it's not possible to postpone and my brother is coming tomorrow, my nephew, my cousin.

· 43-year-old suspectIntercepted conversation revealing the suspect's panic over an upcoming inspection and attempts to postpone it.

The central figure, a 43-year-old man, is accused of illegally obtaining subsidies from OPEKEPE, the Greek agricultural payments agency. According to the investigation, he and his wife allegedly pressured relatives and friends to bring sheep to their property. This was done to artificially inflate their reported livestock numbers, creating a false impression of their animal capital during official inspections.

Evidence suggests the gang also operated a drug trafficking ring within Crete. When they learned that the police were preparing to raid the leader's home, they reportedly ordered the immediate destruction of evidence. Their communications were conducted using secret code names, such as 'red barrel with olives,' which authorities believe referred to a hidden stash of drugs and money.

But what are you saying, man, everyone? How many animals are you missing?

· RelativeQuestioning the suspect about the number of animals needed for the inspection.

Records indicate the 43-year-old suspect was alerted to an upcoming inspection on May 11, 2026. His panicked conversations, intercepted by police, reveal his attempts to postpone the inspection and his distress over relatives also being subject to scrutiny. He expressed anxiety, saying, "I'm not well, man, I'll have a heart attack... They have me for inspection tomorrow and I just got a call to postpone, because I had relaxed... I learned this afternoon, it's not possible to postpone and my brother is coming tomorrow, my nephew, my cousin."

Many, man, many, but I'll find from elsewhere, I'll find from elsewhere.

· 43-year-old suspectResponding to the relative about the need to gather more animals.

Authorities estimate that the couple may have illegally acquired European funds totaling close to 1 million euros through these fraudulent schemes. The investigation continues to uncover the full extent of the gang's operations and their impact on the region.

Wednesday, man, they have me for inspection, I saw lambs and you have them in the mountains, right?

· 43-year-old suspectAsking a relative about the availability of lambs for the inspection.
About this summary

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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