Crete court acquits three in 11.7 kg cocaine case

A court in Crete has acquitted three defendants of charges involving the management of a criminal organization and large-scale drug trafficking in a case concerning the importation of 11.7 kilograms of cocaine. The ruling marks a significant reversal of the initial investigation, which had suggested the existence of an organized crime ring.

The 64-year-old transporter was found guilty of drug trafficking and received a non-suspended prison sentence. A fourth defendant received a minor sentence for possession of a small amount of cocaine intended for personal use.

A key turning point in the trial was the transporter's decision to retract his original testimony, in which he had identified a man from Zoniana as the final recipient of the shipment. By recanting, the transporter denied any communication with the individual, leading to the acquittal of the three men regarding the primary charges.