Thessaloniki police seize 324 kg of cannabis in recycling shipment

Police in Thessaloniki dismantled an international criminal organization following the seizure of over 324 kilograms of raw cannabis. The drugs were discovered hidden within a shipment of paper intended for recycling.

Authorities state the organization was involved in trafficking large quantities of cannabis from Albania to Turkey via Greece, using international transport trucks and legitimate recycling cargo to conceal the narcotics. The operation, conducted on August 14, resulted in the arrest of two foreign nationals, aged 43 and 58. A third suspect has been identified and is currently wanted by police.

The investigation, which included cooperation from authorities in North Macedonia and Kosovo, revealed that the group operated with distinct roles. The wanted individual allegedly coordinated movement within Greece, while the two arrested individuals managed stages of receipt, concealment, transport, and delivery. In addition to the cannabis, police seized a trailer, two passenger cars, mobile phones, and approximately 1,165 euros. The estimated illegal profit from the organization's activities exceeded 700,000 euros.