Significant success in the fight against smuggling of excisable products was achieved by employees of the Main Directorate S.D.O.E. and from the collaborating Services listed below. After investigating and using information with the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), ten containers with a cargo of illegal alcoholic beverages originating in Georgia and destined for third countries were identified and checked.

In cooperation with the 3rd Customs of Piraeus and the Organized Crime Unit of Crete of the Hellenic Police, 144,906 bottles of branded alcoholic beverages of popular brands were seized at the port of Piraeus, samples of which were sent for examination to the Chemical Service of Attica. Examination of samples showed that the illegal shipment of alcoholic products was UNUSUAL and was seized. The confiscated alcoholic beverages were transferred for storage to storage facilities.

The successful outcome of this operation was facilitated by information obtained during a similar operation carried out by the Operational Directorate of S.D.O.E. Attica, together with the Organized Crime Authority (TAOE) in the area of ​​Crete in the summer of 2022, where a large amount of unsuitable alcoholic beverages were found. It is noted that Greek companies were identified that imported and released unsuitable alcoholic beverages into the Greek market. This particular investigation contributed to the uncovering of a major trafficking network for unsuitable alcoholic beverages, resulting in the European authorities confiscating large quantities of unsuitable drinks from businesses in the Netherlands.

When tracing the origin of illegal alcoholic beverages, it was found that in a large number of them bottle details were falsified and identification numbers (batch number) were changed, which strengthens suspicions of the existence of a specific modus operandi from the point of view of smugglers, which is aimed at re-promotion and channeling corresponding quantities to both the Greek and European markets.

On the fact of illegal circulation of alcoholic beverages, a criminal case was initiated by the Organized Crime Department of Crete.

Source: APE/MEB