Greek police break up OPEKEPE subsidy fraud network in Kozani and Agrinio

The Directorate for Combating Organized Crime carried out a coordinated raid on June 3, 2026 in the Greek regions of Kozani and Agrinio. Police detained 14 suspects, including the alleged leader and an executive coordinator, as part of a large‑scale operation against a criminal organization that submitted false applications to obtain illegal agricultural and livestock subsidies from the OPEKEPE fund.

Investigators determined that the scheme generated roughly €2.5 million in unlawful profit. Seized assets included €16,820 in cash, gold bullion, mobile phones, documentation, and cannabis plants along with other narcotics. Two members of the group have died, and a relative of one detainee was arrested for drug‑law violations. The case will be forwarded to the public prosecutor, and further inquiries continue to identify additional collaborators.