Greek Authorities Dismantle Major Cocaine Trafficking Network, Seizing Tons of Drugs and Arresting 'Greek Escobar'

International Operation Leads to Massive Cocaine Seizure

Greek authorities, working in close cooperation with international partners including the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Europol, and the French Navy, have successfully dismantled a significant cocaine trafficking network. The operation, codenamed 'Ippalos,' culminated on December 14, 2025, with the interception of a Greek-flagged fishing vessel in the Atlantic Ocean. The vessel was found to be carrying between 3.4 and 4.7 tons of cocaine, destined for European markets.

Arrests Across Greece and At Sea

The coordinated effort led to the arrest of ten suspects. Five crew members, including four Greek nationals and one Bulgarian, were apprehended on board the fishing vessel by French authorities. Simultaneously, five additional suspects were arrested in Greece during raids conducted in Katerini, Thebes, and Athens.

Among those arrested in Greece is Alexandros Angelopoulos, a 61-year-old Greek national widely referred to as the 'Greek Escobar' due to his extensive criminal history in international drug trafficking. Prosecutors allege that Angelopoulos, a suspected hotelier and shipowner, led the criminal organization, utilizing fishing vessels to smuggle large quantities of cocaine from Latin America to Europe.

The 'Greek Escobar' and His Network

Angelopoulos has a long-standing record with law enforcement, having been previously arrested in 2004 for organizing the transport of 5.5 tons of cocaine. Investigators claim his group was highly organized and aligned with international drug cartels, employing fishing vessels as 'motherships' for at-sea transfers to smaller boats to evade detection.

The intercepted fishing vessel, identified as the 'Ourania,' had departed from Nea Michaniona, Thessaloniki, and traveled to Latin America, specifically off the coast of Venezuela, to load the narcotics before heading towards Europe. The vessel is currently being towed to Martinique by the French Navy for a full inventory of its cargo.

Estimated Profits and Ongoing Investigation

Authorities estimate the criminal organization's expected illegal profits from this single shipment to be in excess of €100 million. The investigation, which began in October 2024, involved intelligence sharing from U.S. authorities and extensive collaboration among various Greek and European agencies, including Frontex and MAOC-(N). Angelopoulos has denied all allegations, claiming he had transferred ownership of the vessel prior to the bust.