Crete Mafia Uncovered: 48 Arrests and Hidden Links

The news in Greek

1. αστυνομία  (f.)
   κλάδος του κράτους που ασχολείται με τη διατήρηση της τάξης και της ασφάλειας ↩︎
2. συλλαμβάνω
   κάνω σύλληψη κάποιου από την αστυνομία για κάτι παράνομο ↩︎
3. εγκληματικός
   σχετίζεται με το έγκλημα ↩︎
4. εμπλέκομαι
   συμμετέχω ενεργά σε μια δραστηριότητα ή δράση ↩︎
5. ξέπλυμα  (n.)
   διαδικασία μετατροπής παράνομων χρημάτων σε νόμιμα ↩︎
6. εκβιασμός  (m.)
   πράξη απειλής κάποιου για προσωπικό όφελος ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: What activities was the criminal group involved in?

Question 2: What did the police find and seize from the criminal group?

Vocabulary

Greek	English
αστυνομία  (f.)	police
συλλαμβάνω	arrest
εγκληματικός	criminal
εμπλέκομαι	involve
ξέπλυμα  (n.)	laundering
εκβιασμός  (m.)	blackmail

Read the full story

In a significant breakthrough, Greek authorities have dismantled a sprawling criminal network on the island of Crete, with 48 individuals currently under arrest. The operation, described as one of the most complex in recent years, involved extensive investigations and the unravelling of the mafia’s involvement in various illegal activities.

The network’s criminal pursuits ranged from drug trafficking and money laundering to extorting businesses and individuals. According to police sources, the organisation was deeply entrenched in the regions of Chania and Rethymno, showcasing an influence that extended into local institutions.

Evidence collected during the investigation includes intercepted communications and alarming video footage revealing members brandishing firearms, such as Kalashnikovs, as well as detailing financial transactions related to arms and narcotics. Notably, an estimated one million euros of their three-million-euro revenue was attributed to narcotics sales alone.

Surveillance and wiretaps exposed revealing conversations among the group’s leaders, hinting at affiliations with members of the clergy and suggesting attempts to manipulate ecclesiastical hierarchies. A high-ranking member purportedly had links with an Archimandrite, giving directions even for acts of violence.

This sophisticated syndicate operated with a hierarchical structure. At the top sat the leadership core, dictating operational logistics such as distribution of drugs in key locations including the Peace and Friendship Park and the Venetian Harbour in Chania. Middle-tier operatives, often family-linked networks, facilitated the distribution, supported by street-level dealers.

Illegal financial operations were another area of focus for the group. They engaged in laundering illicit funds through legitimate businesses, using electronic payment systems to mask the origin of their profits. The breadth of their corruption extended to attempts to infiltrate state apparatus, with allegations of bribes directed at public officials.

The police operation utilized top-secret surveillance measures, including the monitoring of encrypted communications. These efforts led to the seizure of a significant quantity of weapons, drugs, and assets valued at over one million euros.

Perhaps most disturbingly, the network had reportedly tried to exert influence over ecclesiastical appointments, leveraging contacts within the church to further their interests. Allegations even suggested the involvement of former political figures in these attempts to sway religious leadership roles.

The magnitude of this crackdown highlights the pervasive nature of organised crime and its potential to infiltrate societal structures, demonstrating the importance of ongoing vigilance and coordinated efforts among law enforcement to maintain public safety.

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