Greek tax authority dismantles smuggling ring at Aspropyrgos car park, four arrested

The operation

Teams from the DEOS unit of the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) dismantled an organised smuggling ring that operated across several trade sectors, from alcoholic drinks and cigarettes to liquid fuels. The operation followed the processing of information and data from AADE's information systems. It led to an on-site inspection of a car park business in Aspropyrgos, where mixed DEOS teams carried out the search.

What was seized

Inspectors seized 112 bottles of vodka and 4 tanker trucks of liquefied petroleum gas. They also found 9,100 litres of diesel and petrol, one conveyor belt used for smuggled tobacco products, and a 6mm pistol with 89 9mm cartridges. Vehicles bearing signs of forgery were a significant part of the haul: 6 lorries, 2 vans and 3 private passenger cars. The search also turned up one forklift truck and one pallet jack.

Arrests and charges

Four people were arrested and taken to the public prosecutor. A case file has been opened against them with felony charges covering tax evasion, smuggling, forgery of vehicles and violations of the weapons law. Preliminary findings point to significant losses of public revenue from customs duties and taxes, although the articles do not put a figure on those losses.

Ongoing investigation

The inquiry is continuing to locate three more people allegedly involved in the case. Investigators are also examining possible links to other smuggling rings. At the car park, inspectors recorded irregularities in how vehicles were entered in the digital customer register. According to AADE, the findings show that the network operated in more than one business sector, and the authority has not said how long the activity had been running.