Greek organized crime law enforcement expansion

Greece has moved to enhance its capacity to combat criminal networks through the restructuring and expansion of specialized police units. In October 2026, Minister of Citizen Protection Michalis Chrysochoidis inaugurated the Crete Organized Crime Sub-Directorate in Archanes. This new unit, operating under the central Directorate for Combating Organized Crime, holds jurisdiction over the entire island of Crete and features five specialized departments focusing on drug prosecution, human trafficking, economic crime, and serious criminal activities.

Minister Chrysochoidis has also highlighted the broader impact of the Organized Crime Directorate, which he characterized as the ‘Greek FBI.’ He reported that during its first two years of operation, the specialized unit has been responsible for the arrest of 3,254 individuals and the dismantling of 259 criminal organizations.

In November 2026, the Minister provided updates on specific criminal investigations, including the ‘Choriatiko’ case. He stated that law enforcement has been working to dismantle that criminal network for 1.5 years, noting that authorities previously conducted operations, such as a raid on a Syngrou Avenue nightclub owned by the alleged ringleader, prior to the arrest of Angelos Angelopoulos. Additionally, Chrysochoidis noted that specialized police units are actively combating the theft of copper cables in Athens, though tracking stolen materials sold to scrap yards remains difficult.