Souda aquaculture theft leads to arrest of two men

Two men, aged 27 and 33, have been arrested following the theft of hundreds of kilograms of fish from ELKETHE aquaculture facilities in Souda, Crete. CCTV footage captured the suspects using two boats to approach the fish cages and remove fish using nets.

Upon noticing the approach of the Hellenic Coast Guard, the suspects attempted to flee in a motorized vessel, abandoning a second boat containing wet nets, fish, and bags of ice. Following a coordinated search, authorities located the men at the port of Almirida while they were attempting to hoist the motorized boat. During the intervention, the 33-year-old suspect jumped into the sea to evade capture before eventually surrendering.

Investigations are expanding to determine if the suspects are linked to two previous thefts at the same site involving fish, security cameras, and equipment. The estimated value of the documented stolen goods exceeds €10,600, excluding additional undetermined quantities of fish and damages to the facilities.