Crete Police Arrest Two for Cannabis Cultivation and Illegal Arms

Heraklion, Crete – Authorities have arrested two men, aged 47 and 80, in connection with a coordinated police operation targeting drug trafficking and illegal arms possession. The operation, led by the Heraklion Narcotics Division with support from the Police Operations Department, uncovered a cannabis plantation and led to the seizure of significant weaponry.

The 80-year-old suspect was apprehended in the act as he arrived at the plantation site with a vehicle and was engaged in cultivation activities. Subsequent searches of the plantation, the men's shared residence, and livestock pens they used revealed a total of 34 cannabis plants, some reaching up to 1.5 meters in height.

In addition to the cannabis plants, police confiscated two pistols with magazines, a Kalashnikov-type assault rifle with a magazine, 46 rounds of ammunition, a bayonet, two mobile phones, cultivation tools, and 963 plastic ear tags. The investigation also revealed violations related to livestock theft, including missing ear tags on animals and failure to submit annual livestock declarations.

The vehicle used by the 80-year-old suspect was also seized, as it is believed to have facilitated his illegal activities. The two arrested men are expected to be brought before the Heraklion District Prosecutor, while the Narcotics Division continues its preliminary investigation.