Former footballer ran cocaine ring in Athens nightclubs; police officer among six arrested
A 32-year-old former professional footballer who worked in Athens nightspots used his fame to run a cocaine trafficking ring, police said. Six people, including a police officer, were detained in a dawn raid on June 10.
Operation and arrests
On the morning of Wednesday, June 10, 2026, the Hellenic Police Internal Affairs division conducted a coordinated operation across Attica, arresting six people. Another 24 individuals appear in the case file, including a Special Guard. The investigation was triggered by a complaint and relied on special investigative techniques and digital evidence.
The organization's members, with specific infrastructure and continuous action since at least January 2026, were involved in trafficking narcotics, mainly cocaine, for the purpose of illegal financial gain.
Ring leader and his network
The head of the group was a 32-year-old former professional footballer who worked in Attica nightclubs. He exploited the popularity gained from his sports career to push cocaine during his shifts. Three relatives — a 29-year-old, a 50-year-old woman and a 50-year-old man — supplied him with the drugs. His 28-year-old girlfriend participated in receiving, storing and preparing the narcotics.
Police officer's role and separate charges
The arrested 28-year-old police officer, who according to one report served in the Aliens Division, acted as a support member. Because of his personal ties to the ringleader, he distributed small quantities of drugs to his own contacts. The same officer and a relative, also a police officer, face charges in four additional cases: bribery, breach of official secrecy, neglect of duty and fraud. One report says the Special Guard is accused of three instances of buying drugs for personal use; another alleges the guard and his brother, an officer, took money from fans at the Euroleague Final Four to grant them stadium entry.
Methods of concealment
The group used counter-surveillance measures: internet-based communication apps with coded language for drugs, including "lines," "verses," "25-pack," "magnesium," "ready for war?" and "we'll throw castles, Priam will fall." They moved in their own and rental cars, as well as taxis, and carried out transactions inside the clubs in areas with limited access or visibility.
Seized items
During searches of homes and vehicles, police recovered 5.8 grams of cocaine, 6.1 grams of cannabis, €6,230 in cash, a precision scale, mobile phones, drug-use paraphernalia and a motorcycle. The network is believed to have been active since at least January 2026.
