Thessaloniki police dismantle international cannabis trafficking network

drug trafficking cannabis seizure organized crime Thessaloniki Balkan narcotics network

Greek authorities in Thessaloniki have dismantled an international criminal organization involved in trafficking large quantities of cannabis from Albania to Turkey via Greece. During a coordinated police operation known as ‘Vardaris’ on August 14, 2026, officers seized 324 kilograms and 474 grams of raw cannabis.

The narcotics were concealed within specially designed compartments inside pallets of recyclable paper to bypass customs and maintain a veneer of legitimacy. The investigation, which involved cooperation with law enforcement from North Macedonia and Kosovo, led to the arrest of two foreign nationals, aged 58 and 43. A third individual has been identified and is currently wanted by authorities.

In North Macedonia, a citizen involved in the network has been ordered into 30-day detention by a judge in Skopje. Prosecutors estimate the potential illegal profit from this specific shipment exceeded 700,000 euros. Authorities seized several vehicles, including a semi-trailer truck and two private cars, along with mobile phones and a small amount of cash.

Entities

Albania · Basic Public Prosecutor's Office for the Prosecution of Organized Crime and Coru · Greece · Greek Police · Hellenic Police · Kosovo · Kosovo Police · Ministry of Internal Affairs of North Macedonia · North Macedonia · Thessaloniki · Turkey

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] The operation was a result of continuous international cooperation to combat organized crime and drug trafficking. a1on.mk
[DISPUTED] Authorities seized 324 kilograms of marijuana. a1on.mk
[● 2 SOURCES] The marijuana was hidden within eight pallets of paper during a vehicle inspection in Thessaloniki. a1on.mk
[● 2 SOURCES] One Macedonian citizen and one Kosovar citizen were arrested during the operation. a1on.mk
[● 3 SOURCES] The criminal group is suspected of international drug trafficking. racin.mk · a1on.mk
[● 3 SOURCES] A coordinated international police operation was conducted across Greece, North Macedonia, and Kosovo. racin.mk · a1on.mk
[● 3 SOURCES] A third unidentified foreign national is currently wanted by authorities. www.in.gr · www.eleftherostypos.gr · www.protagon.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] Greek police dismantled an international criminal organization involved in drug trafficking. www.in.gr · www.eleftherostypos.gr · www.protagon.gr
[● 16 SOURCES] The operation was conducted in cooperation with authorities from North Macedonia and Kosovo. www.in.gr · www.protagon.gr · racin.mk · www.dimokratia.gr · fimotro.gr · +9 more
[● 10 SOURCES] The drugs were hidden within shipments of paper for recycling. www.in.gr · www.eleftherostypos.gr · www.dimokratia.gr · fimotro.gr · fonimaleviziou.gr · +5 more
[● 9 SOURCES] Police seized more than 324 kilograms of raw cannabis. www.eleftherostypos.gr · www.dimokratia.gr · lideri.mk · www.insider.gr · www.larissanet.gr · +2 more
[● 14 SOURCES] The organization transported raw cannabis from Albania to Turkey via Greece. fonimaleviziou.gr · www.paraskhnio.gr · www.ertnews.gr · www.newmoney.gr · www.in.gr · +9 more