# Greek anti-smuggling operations 2026

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/greek-anti-smuggling-operations-2026
> Updated: 2026-07-31T12:15:52.000Z. Sources: 24. Developments: 3.

In early July 2026 Greek authorities detained foreign suspects linked to drug trafficking and weapons offenses. By late July the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) conducted a coordinated customs sweep at airports, seaports and land border stations, employing modern X‑ray scanners and three specially trained detection dogs – Hant, Camora and Elvis.

AADE announced that the total value of seized contraband reached €2,065,416.91 and $91,723, comprising a wide mix of foreign currency, 60 gold coins, six gold plates (190 g), 1,990 g of gold jewellery, over 4 million illegal cigarettes, 70 kg of tobacco, 3,346 cigars, 29,340 heated‑tobacco sticks, 347 L of illegal alcohol, 416 L of fuel, 9 kg of freon, 65 packs of illegal pesticides, 31,013 counterfeit items, 2,768 miscellaneous goods and 528 distinct illegal weapons. Drug seizures included 129 kg of khat, 25 kg of cannabis and 574 g of THC. Unusual finds included two exotic parrots and a fragment of a fossilised tree.

Between 27 July and 30 July police arrested 11 people in Eastern Macedonia, Thrace and Kavala, confiscating raw cannabis, cannabis oil, small quantities of cocaine and precision scales; nine were Greek nationals and two foreigners, leading to ten new criminal files. In Naoussa, officers seized five packages containing 4.5 g of cocaine, a scale, €50 in cash and two mobile phones.

Customs reports for the same period reaffirmed the earlier totals, noting 25 kg of cannabis, the same 129 kg of khat, 528 illegal weapons and the continued recovery of gold coins, gold plates and counterfeit goods. The sustained operations underscore Greece’s intensive crackdown on drug trafficking and related smuggling throughout July 2026.

## Claims

- AADE customs inspectors carried out targeted checks at Greek airports, seaports and border stations during the first half of 2026. (corroborated by 15 sources)
- The inspections used modern X‑ray systems and detection dogs named Hant, Camora and Elvis. (corroborated by 15 sources)
- Seized cash totaled €2,065,416.91 and $91,723, plus foreign currencies and a Romanian check of 191,357 LEI. (corroborated by 15 sources)
- AADE seized 60 gold coins and six gold plates weighing a total of 190 grams. (corroborated by 15 sources)
- The seizure included 4,126,057 cigarettes, 70 kg tobacco, 3,346 cigars and 29,340 heated‑tobacco sticks. (corroborated by 15 sources)
- Seized weapons and armaments totaled 528 distinct items of illegal weaponry. (corroborated by 15 sources)
- The seizure also contained 129 kg khat, 25 kg cannabis and 574 g THC. (corroborated by 15 sources)
- Exotic parrots were among the items confiscated. (corroborated by 15 sources)
- Two exotic parrots were seized during the inspections. (corroborated by 9 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-07-31: Greek customs seize €2 million cash, 4 million illegal cigarettes and exotic parrots

Greek customs inspections (Jan‑Jun 2026) seized €2.06 million cash, $91 k, foreign currencies, 60 gold coins, 4.1 million cigarettes, 347 L illegal alcohol, drugs, weapons, counterfeit goods and two exotic par­

22 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greek-customs-seize-drugs-weapons-exotic-birds-and-cash-in-2026-inspections

### 2026-07-30: Greek police and customs seize cannabis, cocaine and other contraband in July 2026

Greek police and customs seized cannabis, cocaine, khat, gold and other contraband in July 2026, arresting 11 people and opening multiple drug‑related cases.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/police-raids-lead-to-drug-and-drunkdriving-arrests-in-greece-and-cyprus

### 2026-07-05: Greece detains foreign suspects in drug trafficking and illegal weapons offenses

Greek police arrested a 27‑year‑old in Kileler for illegal firearm use and minor cannabis possession, and a 30‑year‑old in Mykonos for large‑scale drug trafficking, seizing cocaine, ketamine, cannabis products,

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greece-detains-foreign-suspects-in-drug-trafficking-and-illegal-weapons-offenses

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Cite as: Greek anti-smuggling operations 2026. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/greek-anti-smuggling-operations-2026