Greece drug bust: 84kg of cocaine hidden in artificial roses

Greek authorities, led by the DEOS team of the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE), have dismantled a drug trafficking ring that smuggled 84 kilograms of cocaine from Bogota, Colombia, to Greece. The narcotics were concealed within 1,058 artificial rose stems hidden inside 15 of 80 shipping crates of roses.

Acting on intelligence from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), investigators intercepted the shipment at a flower shop in Artemida, Attica. The operation led to the arrest of six individuals, including four at the flower shop and two at a residence in Marathon. Among the detainees is a foreign national facing additional charges for homicide.

During searches in Marathon, authorities discovered a drug production laboratory, an additional 2 kilograms of cocaine, and a weapon buried in a yard. Law enforcement also seized a luxury vehicle. The total value of the seized cocaine is estimated at approximately 2.4 million euros. Investigations are ongoing as authorities seek two additional suspects.